Month: February 2014

02/28 2014

Sidewalk Tree Planting Applications

If you’re interested in a free tree for the sidewalk, please fill out the application and bring it to the next SONG meeting Tuesday March 4, or give or mail it to David Zwier at 235 Atwood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  The deadline to have them as part of this neighborhood grouping is Saturday March 15.  There will be a site inspection for each application, because not all locations are suitable for trees.

You can also volunteer to help plant and maintain the trees.  More info on TreeVitalize Pittsburgh’s website

There is a PDF version you can print and fill out by hand, or the DOC version, you can fill out electronically, print and sign.

pdf icon Tree-Planting-Request-Form_2014.pdf
doc icon Tree-Planting-Request-Form_USE-ME-14_02.doc

02/25 2014

Mayor Peduto Invites HS Students To Apply for Pub Educ Task Force, Due Fri 3/7/14

Mayor William Peduto giving high school students full voting power on public schools task force

PITTSBURGH, PA – City high school students, don’t miss your chance to tell Mayor Peduto what to do.

The deadline is next week for Pittsburgh Public Schools high schoolers to apply for a spot on Mayor William Peduto’s task force on public education. The 21-member body will meet through the spring and summer to study and recommend ways to strengthen our public schools and surrounding communities, and issue a report at the start of the next school year. For more information on the task force, click here.

School officials, community leaders and parents are part of the task force but the mayor wants students to help as well. He’s reserved three spots for Pittsburgh high school students, each of whom will serve with full voting power. Here’s how to apply:

Go to http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/education-task-force and fill out an application form. You also need to submit via the website a resume and a one page letter to the Mayor explaining why they would like to serve on the task force. Applications and all materials are due by March 7, 2014.

02/25 2014

Drink For Pink – The Porch, Schenley Plaza – Wed, 2/26 5-7pm

Drink for Pink    

 

Meet Oakland’s Celebrities and enjoy a night of Pink 

Cocktails, Pink Auction, tasty hors d’oeuvres and more!

Guest of Honor: 

Charlie Batch – Pittsburgh Steelers QB & Founder of the Best of the Batch Foundation

Guest Bartenders:

Talia Piazza Neighborhood Allies Marketing & Program Coordinator

Dan Gilman Pittsburgh City Councilman

Bruce Kraus Pittsburgh City Councilman

Corey O’ Connor Pittsburgh City Councilman

Jay Costa PA Senator

Dr. John Wilds Pitt Superstar

Paul Chryst Pitt Football Head Coach

New this year….Drink for Pink will be held in 3 locations! On February 26 from 5 – 7 pm, put your pink on and
meet your friends at any of these locations! Check out the guest bartenders and special guests.
• Oakland Business Improvement District will be at THE PORCH in Schenley Park – Click here for information
• Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will be at Andy’s Wine Bar in the Fairmont Hotel – Click here for information
• South Side Chamber of Commerce will be at Local Bar + Kitchen, 1515 E. Carson St. – Click here for information

 
02/20 2014

Oakland Residential Facade Grant Application Available – Due April 1

OPDC is now accepting applications for the 2014 Residential Façade Grant program. The program restores historic character to our neighborhood’s homes, instills pride in our community and catalyzes neighborhood investment.

The Façade Grant Program is available to residential property owners in all four neighborhoods of Oakland – Central, North, South and West. With a limit of $5,000 per grant, awardees receive a 1 to 1 match for an owner-occupied building, and a 1 to 2 match for a non-owner-occupied building.

Last year, OPDC awarded $21,000 in grants. Projects included roof and gutter repairs; painting; walkway and sidewalk repairs; landscaping; porch repairs; window and door replacements; and wall and foundation repairs.

Click here to download the guidelines and instructions

Click here to download the application

02/19 2014

OPCD 2025 Master Plan Project Development Workshop – Mon 3/3/14 9-Noon. 3343 Forbes Ave

Join OPCD as they celebrate Oakland 2025 implementation
projects to-date and brainstorm ideas to continue the momentum. 
 
Oakland 2025 Master Plan: Project Development Workshop
From code enforcement to housing development, greening projects, public art,
citizen engagement, and much more, the Oakland community is moving closer to the Oakland 2025 vision.
To keep things going in a positive direction, join your colleagues and community
members at a workshop to brainstorm even more Oakland 2025 implementation
action steps.
OPDC will host a session led by an independent facilitator. They will gather
information on existing projects and brainstorm ideas to move forward other
plan recommendations. They’ll also discuss ways to ensure our most vulnerable citizens have the resources and services they need to succeed here in Oakland.

pdf icon March-2014-O-2025-Workshop-Flyer-2.pdf

02/19 2014

Oakwatch meeting TONIGHT 2/19 6PM at Career Center 294 Semple St

A friendly reminder of tonight’s Oakwatch meeting. We will congregate at the Oakland Career Center at 294 Semple Street and begin at 6PM. Look forward to updates from the Mayor’s Office, Councilman Kraus’ Office, the Bureau of Building Inspection, and our University of Pittsburgh Police and Zone 4 Police partners, among others.Refresh yourself with last month’s minutes on our website at:
http://www.opdc.org/oakwatch/

02/19 2014

February Green Team Meeting Thurs 2/20 6PM

Spring is upon us and there are many upcoming projects to improve Oakland’s public spaces, green our neighborhood with new trees, and work with volunteers on exciting projects. The Green Team will be meeting this Thursday, February 20 at the Oakland Career Center (294 Semple St) from 6:00 – 7:15 pm. Please join us to discuss:

 

–          The upcoming TreeVitalize street tree application for Oakland

–          Two proposed murals on the corner of Blvd of the Allies and Parkview Ave

–          An update on the Bates St restoration project

02/18 2014

Citiparks Recruiting Lifeguards For Summer

CITIPARKS RECRUITING LIFEGUARDS FOR SUMMER
Citiparks Aquatics Division is looking for Lifeguards for the 2014 Summer Season

Dear District 6 Residents:

If you are interested in becoming a CITIPARKS LIFEGUARD Please call THE AQUATIC DIVISION OFFICE for information and registration at:  412-323-7928.

Lifeguard training courses are being held at the Oliver Bath House on the following dates and times:

March 15 – April 26, 2014

Saturdays from 12:00PM – 6:00PM

*NO CLASS APRIL 19

 

May 6 – May 29, 2014

Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:00PM – 10:00PM

and Saturday May 17 from 9:00AM – 6:00PM

COURSE FEE $70.00 ~ PAYMENT PLAN IS AVAILABLE

You must be a CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENT and at least 16 years-old by May 30, 2014 to apply.

STARTING PAY RATE IS $8.82/HR

02/10 2014

Black History Month Event at Thelma Lovette YMCA THIS Sat 2/15 12pm

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT THE THELMA LOVETTE YMCA
A Celebration of Black History Month to be Held at the Thelma Lovette YMCA this Saturday

Greetings Friends and Neighbors-

This upcoming Saturday, at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District, a Black History Month Celebration will be hosted which will be open to all:

Where: Thelma Lovette YMCA, 2114 Centre Ave
When: Saturday, February 15, 12pm-2pm

Councilman Lavelle will be present to kick off festivities which include:

  • Black Pittsburgh Historic Presentation/Black Civil War Enactment Group by John Ford
  • Centre Avenue Historic Presentation by Leon Haley
  • Wylie Avenue Days Film Documentary
  • Presentation of the Hill District Historic Wall
  • NAKA Entertainment
  • Miller School African Dance and Drum Troop
  • Presentation of Black Genealogical Study
  • Children and Family Activities
  • Teenie Harris Collection by Carnegie Library

For more information on the festivities, you can visit the Thelma Lovette Y site by accessing this link, or by calling them at 412-315-0990.

City Council District 6

02/07 2014

Various “Green” Events and Workshops For February

Workshop: organize tree planting in your ‘hood

February 11, 2014

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is hosting a free application workshop to learn about how to organize a tree planting in your community. The workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the CCI Center, 62 S. 14th St., Pittsburgh on the South Side. Dinner and refreshments will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, email here or call 412-586-2386.

Playing It (TOO) Safe: Play, Playgrounds & the Value of Risk

February 13, 2014

Thu, February 13, 6:30 PM-8:00 PM, Carnegie Music Hall
Cost: Free; Doors open at 6 p.m., program begins at 6:30. Register now to reserve your space!

Second in a series of community conversations presented as part the Playful Pittsburgh collaborative. Short presentations and a community conversation will be moderated by Bill Isler, president of the Fred Rogers Company. Presenters include Wendy Nilsson, of Partnership for Providence Parks (Rhode Island), Gabriela Burkhalter, curator of The Playground Project, Michelle Figlar, executive director of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC); representatives from Mayor Bill Peduto’s office; and North Braddock’s Recycle Park project.


Read more…

Vermicomposting Workshop-PA Resources Council at Phipps Garden Center

February 13, 2014

Thu., Feb 13, 7:00–8:30pm at Phipps Garden Center, Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh
Vermicomposting is easy, fun, odorless and produces a great soil additive! Workshop participants will learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for their own worms. Be prepared to roll-up your sleeves and make your own worm composting bin! Each participant or couple will be provided with a bin, instructions, and worms. Information and registration here. $50 single, $55 couple.

Urban Ecosteward Training: Crew Leadership

February 15, 2014

Sat., Feb. 15, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Learn best practices for leading volunteer crews of 5-15 people, then sign up and use your experience to help at volunteer days. Location: REI Southside. Registerhere.

Become a Tree Tender in 2014!

February 22, 2014

Join nearly 1300 Pittsburghers, Greening the City One Tree at a Time! Course 1: Sat., Feb. 22nd 9:30am-4:30pm, Location: The Pittsburgh Project,  2801 North Charles Street Pittsburgh, PA 15214. Pre-Registration is required—click here.

Read more…

Full list from Construction Junction:
02/06 2014

Public Hearing On Land Bank Bill Rescheduled For Thu, Feb 20, 6pm

RESCHEDULED: PUBLIC HEARING ON LAND BANK BILL
Public Hearing on Proposed Land Bank Bill Rescheduled for Thursday, February 20th at 6pm
Greetings Residents and Neighbors of District 6-
As per a prior communication our office sent out last week, 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.
To review, 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, or the community
  • 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 the rescheduled Pubic Hearing being held on Thursday, February 20, at 6pm in Council Chambers. 
For those interested in participating and providing public comment, you must call to register before 2pm on the 20th at 412-255-2138.
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
02/04 2014

Frazier Fieldhouse Festivities For February – Fri 2/28 5-7pm & Sat 3/1 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 February 28th 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 March 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 SONG contact page, email or talk to Janet Sims in person.

Just a heads-up, the second monthly events will be Friday March 21st for the kids and Saturday March 22nd for adults.

02/04 2014

Mayor Announces Applications For Spring Civic Leadership Academy Class – Due 3/7/14

MAYOR ANNOUNCES APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SPRING CIVIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS
Sent 02/04/2014 @ 2:41 pm

 

PITTSBURGH, PA – Mayor William Peduto today announced that applications for the spring 2014 Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) are now available. Pittsburgh residents and business owners are invited to apply to this free 10-week course to learn about City government. The CLA meets every Wednesday evening from March 26 to May 28, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Applications are available online at http://pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/cla/application?m=application and must be submitted by March 7 .

“By offering this class for citizens, we hope to grow a crop of civic-minded leaders who will step up to the plate and help create the Next Pittsburgh,” said Mayor Peduto. “The CLA is a win for the participants as well as the City. We are excited to continue the program this spring.”  

Participants interact one-on-one with City department directors and staff members through tours, interactive presentations and hands-on demonstrations. Session topics include urban redevelopment processes, city planning and park services, protection of waterways and rivers, public safety efforts, and more. To date, the City has held seven classes with nearly 140 graduates.

Following the 10-week course, the civic leaders implement a service project. Previous classes have led river cleanups in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewage authority, raised money for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and planted native plants at the Larimer Community Garden.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live within City limits and/or be a business owner who operates within City limits. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 7. For more information and to apply, visit http://pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/cla/application.

 

Full notice:

http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/release?id=2736

02/04 2014

Mayor Peduto Issues Exec Order To Form Summer Youth Employment Task Force

MAYOR WILLIAM PEDUTO ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO FORM SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT TASK FORCE
Sent 02/04/2014 @ 12:52 pm

Pittsburgh, PA – Mayor William Peduto issued an executive order today announcing the creation of a Mayoral Task Force on Summer Youth Employment Opportunities in order to assess the City of Pittsburgh’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The task force will be charged with presenting concrete recommendations and an action plan for expanding access and improving the quality and diversity of placement opportunities.

“I want to ensure that every young person in the City of Pittsburgh who wants to has both the opportunity for meaningful career development and the ability to earn a little extra money through this program,” said Mayor Peduto. “Through this Task Force, I will engage the business community, labor, nonprofits, foundations, and partners at the national level to help us reimagine this program to serve more young people and provide a clear pathway to their future success.”

Currently the Summer Youth Employment Program serves approximately 400 young people out of nearly 1,000 who apply. Cities across the country have successfully engaged their corporate and philanthropic communities and the federal government in expanding similar programs and offer the option for specialized training in high-tech STEM jobs as well as vocational and office work.

The recommendations and action plan devised by the Task Force will be submitted to Mayor Peduto no later than April 30, 2014 so that the administration can review and begin implementing them this year.

Full text:

http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/release?id=2735