Applications are available for the servePGH Spring 2015 Love Your Block grant award program. The block revitalization program gives organizations up to $1,000 in funds and donated supplies for a neighborhood block improvement project that mobilizes community volunteers. Projects will be implemented from April 25 to June 30, 2015. Applications are available online at:  http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/loveyourblock.
Applicants for the spring 2015 program must be a qualified nonprofit organization (or have the support of a nonprofit fiscal agent) and the impacted area must be within city limits. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on February 13, 2015. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified of their status by March 2015. A mandatory grantee orientation will take place in early April 2015.
An information session will be held at 6 p.m on January 20, 2015 in the City County Building, 414 Grant Street (Room 646).  At this session, applicants can ask question about project ideas and grant proposals.
To date, grantees have impacted approximately 389 blocks by collecting 34,527 pounds of litter, creating 255 green spaces, leveraging almost $473,000 in donations and recruiting around 4,571 volunteers through the program.
For more information and application, visiti the full article, or the link listed above.
Twice a year, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police sponsors an opportunity for members of the community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the Police Bureau.  The Pittsburgh Citizen’s Police Academy brings the police and the community close together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each participant.  
Participants receive three hours of training one evening each week in many of the varied functions of law enforcement.  They experience some of the highlights of police training and are exposed to the operations of the police bureau.  Participants are taught the basics of criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics, firearms and many other subjects.  They learn about the processing of a crime scene, how police canines are used, and are exposed to many of the specialty police units. CPA participants meet and talk with many of the street officers as well as the command staff and training staff that serves them.  All this takes place in a safe and entertaining training environment.  
Instructors are law enforcement professionals who teach both veteran and recruit police officers.  Students leave this training with a greater understanding of the police mission and with an increased ability to see how the police serve the community. 
This program is not an accredited certification course to become a sworn police officer.
Class size is limited to 30 participants. All interested persons must give permission for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to conduct a background check to determine if they have a criminal record.
The next session of the CPA will begin on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at the Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy 107 Thackeray Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The program will be held each Tuesday evening, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 15 weeks. Please return applications by U.S. mail or hand-deliver to the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy. All applications must be received by February 3, 2015.
Visiti the original post on City website for application.


The University of Pittsburgh is striving to make history this coming spring as we introduce the Give a Thread campaign in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most clothing collected for the intent of donation or recycle. Large articles (pants, shirts, jackets, suits, dresses, shorts, skirts, etc.) will be collected through the end of February, when the world record count is attempted.

Articles should be clean but can be in any condition. Items that are not suitable for donation, such as torn, stained, or heavily worn items will be recycled by Goodwill of SWPA to create a sustainable filler for insulation. Currently, all regional campuses as well as the City of Pittsburgh, Mayor Peduto’s Office, Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium are all participating in the Give a Thread campaign.

Clothing will be counted and sorted. Items for recycle (torn, stained or unusable items) will be provided to Goodwill for recycle, which includes shredding for filler material. Clothing in gently used condition will be distributed amongst the following agencies: Thriftsburgh (student run thrift store on the University of Pittsburgh campus, Goodwill of SWPA, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, the University Career Development and Placement Assistance Office, and other organizations as appropriate.

For more info:

http://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/pittserves/give-thread

Some restaurants will offer pre-fixed menus as their special deals, while others will have a flat discount.

The goal of the weeklong event is to highlight the city's dining options and attract customers from surrounding boroughs or suburbs.

A few of the participating restaurants are outside the city in Monroeville, Cranberry Township, Moon Township, Robinson Township, Scott Township, Penn Hills, Peters Township, McCandless and Ohio Township.

Reservations are a good idea because some of the most popular restaurants get booked up.

FULL LIST: See which restaurants are participating in Pittsburgh Restaurant Week


Read more: http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/pittsburgh-restaurant-week-to-return-with-discounts/-/10927008/16050250/-/i40vcg/-/index.html#ixzz3OYkPlhc0

You are invited to attend a Career Fair held by Pittsburgh Community Services, INC.  The career fair will host local employers and training programs for all.  A complimentary lunch will be provided as well for those individuals who participate.  The career fair will be held:

When
Friday, January 16, 2015

Location
480 Wadsworth Hall
Oak Hill Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Time
10 am – 2 pm

For more information on the event, click here.

To visit the Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. website, click here.

CITY OPENS WARMING CENTERS DUE TO FRIGID TEMPERATURES
PITTSBURGH, PA (January 8, 2015) – The City of Pittsburgh has activated emergency response protocols due to severe weather and extreme cold temperatures hitting the area this week.
Warming centers at four Senior Center locations are currently open throughout the city. Facilities are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until further notice. The locations include:
  • Greenfield Senior Center – 745 Greenfield Ave. (412-422-6551)
  • Homewood Senior Center –  7321 Frankstown Ave. (412-244-4190)
  • Sheraden Senior Center – 720 Sherwood Ave. (412-777-5012)
  • South Side Market House Senior Center – 12th St. and Bingham St. (412-488-8404)
Public Safety personnel have been instructed to notify and assist the homeless with access to the shelters.
City residents are advised to keep their pets indoors this week. New and approved changes to the animal care ordinances are also in place. Owners are not permitted to leave a dog outside, subject to the weather and elements, for more than thirty (30) minutes at a time when temperatures are below thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit. Any violations to the animal care ordinances should be reported to Animal Care and Control by calling 412-255-2036 during business hours or 412-255-2935 outside of business hours.
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"The first of the planned 50 docking stations might go up in the city as early as March, with a hard launch of the bike rental program tentatively set for April, said Beth Hazlett, Pittsburgh Bike Share board chairwoman, but this bike rental program will be nothing like you experienced on your last vacation at the shore."

Post Gazette Article:
Pgh Bike Share website:

Winterfest pre-sale tickets now available!
December 11, 2014
The East End Food Co-op is pleased to present Winterfest once again this year! Our annual, seasonal celebration and fundraiser for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg from 1 PM to 5 PM. The event will feature food, music, and fun for all ages!
The menu will include light fare with vegetarian and vegan items from the Co-op Café, as well appetizers and snacks donated by vendors and other local partners. There will be an array of sweet treats for everyone, including cookies and goodies from the Co-op’s Bulk Department. Adults age 21 and over can buy a wristband for $5 that gives them access to the open bar, which will include wine and a number of locally-brewed craft beers provided by the East End Brewing Company.

2015 City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Recycling

Take Your Tree to one of the following City Drop-Off Locations
Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to have it composted:

  • Year Round
    • East End – 2nd Division of Public Works, North Dallas Ave at Hamilton Ave, 412­-665-­3609
    • Hazelwood – 3rd Division of Public Works, Melanchton Ave. off 5200 block of 2nd Ave, 412­-422-­6524
    • West End – 5th Division of Public Works, 1330 Hassler St. off Hershel & Steuben (near Herschel Park), 412-­937-­3054
  • January Only!
    • Strip District – Environmental Services Lot, 3001 Railroad Street (next to recycling drop­off), 412-­255-­2773

Remove all ornaments, lights and stands.
No trees in plastic bags or netting will be accepted.
Christmas trees set out at the curb will be sent to the landfill.
http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/2015-12-23ChristmasTreeCollection.pdf

  • Allegheny County Parks through Saturday, January 17, 2015
    • The Allegheny County Department of Parks is again offering its Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program this holiday season. Residents of the county can drop off their Christmas trees beginning today, Friday, December 26, 2014 through Saturday, January 17, 2015 at all nine regional parks during regular hours of operation (dawn to dusk).

For more info go to
http://www.alleghenycounty.us/2014/20141226.aspx