The City of Pittsburgh is joining with Just Harvest to promote a healthy new incentive for food stamps at 14 area farmers markets this summer.
For the first time, for every $5 shoppers spend using their food stamps at participating farmers markets, they will receive an additional $2 coupon to spend on fruits and vegetables. The coupons are called Food Bucks and are available at 13 Fresh Access farmers markets in Allegheny County and one in Washington County.

East End Food Co-op
For more Coop info goto:

http://www.eastendfood.coop/co-op

These events are FREE; just call 412-242-3598 to reserve your spot!

Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:30 PM

Pittsburgh Goes Solar
Sharon Pillar, Solarize Allegheny
Carnegie Library of Homewood

Solar energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world and in our community. Join Solarize Allegheny to learn how producing your own clean electricity can be both cost effective and environmentally responsible.

Wednesday, June 10th, 7 PM

Cookbook Club
East End Food Co-op
Café Seating Area

Get out your pots and pans, our Cookbook Club is meeting again! Join us for a potluck-style recipe swap in our Café seating area. Bring a dish and a list of its ingredients. Space is limited, so don’t forget to call our store to reserve your spot.

Thursday, June 18th, 7 PM

Celebrating Pollinators
East End Food Co-op
Café Seating Area

Did you know that about a third of all foods and beverages in the U.S. are made possible by the work of bees and other pollinators? Come sample the fruits of their labor and learn more about what we can do to support pollinators.

Wednesday, June 24th, 6:30 PM
Greens on the Go!
Stephanie Boddie, PhD., Go Live!
Carnegie Library of Homewood

Take advantage of fresh local produce available this season! Natural food chef, health disparity researcher, and Go Live! founder Stephanie will share easy and delicious ways to incorporate nutrient-dense leafy vegetables into our daily diet.

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, City of Pittsburgh offices will be closed and refuse, bulk waste and recycling collection will not take place on Monday, May 25, 2015.

The refuse collection schedule will proceed as follows: If your scheduled collection day is Monday, May 25 you will be serviced on Tuesday, May 26. If your collection day is Tuesday, May 26, you will be serviced on Wednesday May 27, and so on through Saturday.  

Route 885 Boulevard of the Allies Overnight Shoulder Closures Continue Nightly in Pittsburgh
PennDOT District 11 is announcing overnight shoulder closures on the Boulevard of the Allies (Route 885) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will began Monday night, May 18 weather permitting.
Shoulder closures will occur nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Saturday night, May 30 in the following locations (Dates may vary due to weather):

  • On-ramp from Route 885 to westbound (inbound) Parkway East from Monday, May 18 to Thursday, May 21.
  • Northbound Route 885 between Craft Avenue and I-579 Crosstown Boulevard from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24.
  • Westbound (inbound) I-376 Parkway East off-ramp (Exit 72B) to Route 885 from Monday, May 25 to Saturday, May 30. 
Crews from the Joseph B Fay Company will install work platforms.
Motorists are advised to use caution and slow down when traveling through the area. Visit 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling.
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Traffic Advisory
Liberty Tunnel Maintenance and Washing Activities begin Tuesday Night in Pittsburgh 
PennDOT is announcing electrical maintenance and washing activities in the Liberty Tunnel in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will begin Tuesday night, May 19.
A single-lane restriction will occur in both directions of the tunnel from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night throughThursday night, May 21.
Motorists are advised to use caution and allow extra time when traveling through the area. Visit 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling.
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Traffic Advisory
I-376 Parkway East Bridge Washing Activities Continue in Edgewood
PennDOT District 11 is announcing bridge washing activities on I-376 (Parkway East) in Edgewood Borough, Allegheny County, will began Monday night, May 18 weather permitting.
Single-lane restrictions in each direction will occur on the structure that carries I-376 over South Braddock Avenue.  Work will occur weeknights from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, May 29.
Crews from Michael Facchiano Contracting, Inc. will conduct the bridge washings activities.
Please use caution, slow down, and be prepared for changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area. Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling.
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Oakland Community Meeting: Proposed Bike Share Street Network

As one of America's shining examples of a 21st century city, Pittsburgh is moving to become more bicycle friendly.
On Monday, June 1, 2015 the Oakland community will host representatives from the City of Pittsburgh, Dept. of City Planning and Dept. of Public Works to hear and to provide feedback for the city's Proposed Bike Share Street Network Plan.
The City of Pittsburgh has proposed various bike infrastructure installations for many Oakland streets with the intent to broaden the accessibility for bikes; however that accommodation may require the elimination of parking and impact vehicle travel lanes.
Please come out and be a part of the discussion on the Proposed Bike Share Street Network Plan. In order to accomodate varying schedules, participants have the option to chose from two different meeting times: 
8 AM and 5:30 PM – Monday, June 1, 2015
University of Pittsburgh, William Pitt Union- Dinning Room A
3959 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 
in Lawrenceville Pittsburgh PASunday, May 31st from 11-3pm, The Heineman Company will be hosting a Food Truck Round Up. Trucks such as Natrona Bottling Company, Bella Christie and Lil Z’s, Burgh Bites, Popsburgh, Oh My Grill, Rolling Cones, Miss Meatball, Savoy, and more will be present!

Stop by for this FREE EVENT, music by DJ Maria Romono, some delicious food and drinks from local Food Trucks, and a great time! 

Parking lot of: The John Heineman Company
(Next to Scott Electric)
151 39th Street Lawrenceville 15201
Picklesburgh - The place for all things pickled 
The Destination for all Things Pickled
July 17-18, 2015 – Rachel Carson Bridge (9th Street Bridge)
Event hours:  Friday 7/17 3pm-10pm, Saturday 7/18 11am-10pm
Free Admission!
For two days in July, the Rachel Carson Bridge in Downtown Pittsburgh will transform into Picklesburgh, highlighted by a giant flying Heinz pickle balloon, custom built by a team that also crafts balloons for Disney and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The Picklesburgh festival is a culinary celebration that goes beyond the dill pickle to include international dishes, prepared foods and artisan cocktails that feature pickled ingredients; an embrace of the farm-to-table movement and the rising popularity of canning; a selection of handcrafted foods and artisan cocktails from local restaurants; informative how-to demos and author talks at the Whole Foods Market demo area; merchandise such as pickled goods, books and DIY products.

pdf icon brt-scoping-booklet.pdf

Inline image 1STUDY OVERVIEW – The City of Pittsburgh, Port Authority, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, along with Allegheny County Economic Development, in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), are conducting an environmental and engineering study for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the area extending from Downtown Pittsburgh to Uptown, Oakland and other East End neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Incorporation of bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements into the project is also proposed. The map below illustrates the study area.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? – 
  • Spring 2015: The public scoping period begins with the May 5 & 6 public meetings and extends to June 4, 2015 during which additional public and agency input is received. The NEPA review will begin. Coordination with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has been initiated and contacts with other regulatory and resource agencies will occur.
  • Summer 2015: Community workshops to discuss the location and design of BRT stations will be convened. The analysis of the alternatives effects on the social and economic environment, physical environment and transportation system will continue. The alternatives will be refined.
  • Fall 2015: The NEPA analyses will be completed. Based on the input from the workshops and technical analyses, the station designs will be developed further.
  • Winter/Spring 2016: The draft NEPA document will be prepared.
  • Spring/Summer 2016: The public will review and comment on the draft NEPA document. Based on public comment and the NEPA analyses, the LPA will be selected. A report on the LPA will be submitted to FTA for approval to advance the project into Preliminary Engineering.
The following cases will go before Magistrate Ricciardi (1700 E Carson Street, 3rd floor) on Thursday, May 14, at 10am:
  • 3295 Dawson Street (continuance): Violation: Overgrown weeds and grass (Overgrowth on property) Owners: Pradeed and Thespine Khosla
  • 3415 Bates Street (continuance): Violation: Garbage and debris throughout property Owners: Oakland Gateway Ventures LP
  • 3407 Bates Street: Violation: Garbage and debris throughout property Owners: Oakland Gateway Ventures LP
  • 3263 Parkview Avenue: Violation: Failure to remove couch from porch Owner: Michele Rice, Barbara Rotz and Elizabeth Zembower
  • 21 Hodge Street (continuance): Violation: 1. Failure to Maintain roof drains, gutters and downspouts and 2. Garbage and debris throughout property Owner: Rush Howe
Planning to attend? Call 412.621.7863 ext. 27.
05/10 2015

Crime Alert

Armed Robbery

University of Pittsburgh Police Officers assisted the City of Pittsburgh Police Department with an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, May 8th, 2015, at approximately 9:45pm, near the intersection of Bigelow Boulevard and Tennyson Avenue.  The victim stated that while in his car, a white male approached him, displayed a handgun and demanded his wallet.  The victim gave the suspect a credit card, and the suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Description of the suspect follows:

  • Suspect – White male, approximately 5’6”, wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants, black hat, and white shoes.

Anyone having information regarding this incident should call the Pittsburgh Police Department (Zone 4) at412-422-6520 (reference CCR #81560) or the University of Pittsburgh Police at 412-624-2121. (Reference report #15-01340)