Month: January 2016

01/28 2016

Free Tax Preparation Assistance Through United Way Available 2/1-4/15

Tax season is just around the corner. Luckily, there are free tax assistance programs available to individuals who may need help completing their tax forms.
 
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will become available from February 1st to April 15, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8:30am to 2:30pm. To make an appointment, dial 2-1-1 or 888-553-5778. Appointments are held in various government offices throughout the city. For more information on VITA, click here.
 
In addition, United Way's 2-1-1 line also offers volunteer tax assistance at various other locations throughout the city. Appointments should also be made by dialing dial 2-1-1 or 888-553-5778.
 
Click here for a list of the locations and for more information on the program.
Click here for more info on United Way and their efforts with this program.

01/28 2016

Sign Up For Grassroots Green Homes Energy Saving Challenge

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pdf icon GGH-Flyer-1.21.16.pdf

SAVE ENERGY​,  SAVE MONEY

This spring 500 Households in Uptown and Oakland will receive free energy-saving tools and tips through participation in a one-year energy saving challenge.

Participate in the Energy Efficiency Challenge

Sign up to receive 12 free DIY energy efficiency tools for participation in a 12-month energy efficiency challenge. You will get information and guidance from your own neighbors on ways to lower your energy bills.​​

Apply for Home Weatherization Plus Services

30 single-family, owner-occupied homes will be selected to receive an initial energy audit, weatherization services (like air sealing and insulation), and any repairs determined necessary by the audit team.

Get Involved: Be an Energy Coach

Energy Coaches will attend free training and planning sessions to help roll out the program to these neighborhoods, organize distribution of tips and tools, and gather feedback from participants.

​Check the attached flyer for more info.

01/26 2016

Alec Balwin Hosting Pgh Symphony Orchestra Concert 4/16

Inline image 1Tickets go on sale Jan. 27 for “Alec’s Playlist,” a special Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert on April 16 featuring actor, director and producer Alec Baldwin and music director Manfred Honeck.​​

​The program​ will​ featur​e​ music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Hector Berlioz, Igor Stravinsky and Gustav Mahler.

Baldwin will host the evening, and talk about his favorite moments in music, how and why classical music is important to him, and how pieces of music have transformed moments in his life.

The actor spent time in Pittsburgh last year film “Concussion” with Will Smith.

The concert will start at 8 p.m. April 16 at Heinz Hall, Downtown. Admission is $25 to $105.

​For more info go to ​pittsburghsymphony.org

01/25 2016

Feb 2016 – Oakwatch Mtg 2/17 6pm, Green Team Mtg 2/18 6pm

Oakwatch : The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
Third Wednesdays
February 17, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Oakwatch webpage
Green Team : Putting the “oak” back in Oakland
Third Thursdays
February 18, 6pm, Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213.
Southwestern PA Commission is scheduled to present their road safety audit of Bellefield Ave.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Green Team webpage
01/25 2016

Snow Angels – Volunteers Needed For Snow Removal

The Snow Angels ​​program matches neighbors with neighbors to shovel the walks of those who are unable to do this on their own. Volunteers impact lives in our community by ensuring our more vulnerable neighbors continue to have access to essential services such as home-delivered meals and medications during the harsh winter months.
Click here for for more info on the program
01/22 2016

Traffic Advisory – Forbes Ave Lane Closure Craft To Halket Through Feb 2017

​Inline image 1​Traffic Advisory

Forbes Avenue Lane Closures   
Furthest Left Driving Lane:
  • This lane closure is due to a new project that is adjacent to SkyVue
  • Due to such close proximity and zero laydown area, the City awarded a permit to close off the farthest left driving lane to allow the project team for the hotel to have space to store necessary equipment and materials
  • The lane is, and will remain closed from now – February of 2017
  • However, only half of the length of the lane between Craft and Halket (the portion in front of hotel project site – to – Halket, or, second 1/2 of block) will remain closed. The portion from Craft to the hotel site (approx. first 1/2 of the block) will re-open when SkyVue is finished later this year
Parking Lane:
  • This will remain closed for the remainder of the SkyVue project schedule
  • The parking lane will remain closed through the duration of the hotel project, February 2017. But this is the same as the driving lane – only the portion in front of the hotel – to – Halket will be closed
01/21 2016

Pterosaurs Exhibit At CLP – 1/30 To 5/22

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Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs
 January 30

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– May 22

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In the new exhibit Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs, rare fossils, life-size models, and hands-on interactives bring these ancient animals to life.
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They flew with their fingers. They walked on their wings. Some were gigantic, while others could fit in the palm of a hand. Millions of years ago, the skies were ruled by pterosaurs, the first animals with backbones to fly under their own power
01/15 2016

Community Info Mtg – Wed 2/3 6pm Oakland Career Ctr

Inline image 1On Wednesday, February 3, OPDC is convening a community-wide meeting at 6pm at the Oakland Career Center for residents to discuss the many proposed developments in Oakland with City of Pittsburgh representatives. The agenda will include the Oakland Gateway Venture Project at Bates and the Blvd of the Allies, the potential redevelopment of the Jewish Federation’s property on McKee Place, and the expanded Campus Advantage Project on Forbes Avenue. Please share the flyer with friends and neighbors. It is located here:  http://www.opdc.org/plan-partner/development-in-oakland-a-community-wide-meeting-on-february-3/

01/14 2016

CIty Offices Closed, Refuse Collection Postponed For MLK Jr Holiday Mon 1/18

The City of Pittsburgh offices will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2016 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
 
Refuse
 
Refuse, bulk waste and recycling collection will not take place on Monday, January 18, 2016. The Department of Public Works has released the following schedule for the week.  For example:
 
If your scheduled day of collection is Monday, January 18, you will be serviced on Tuesday, January 19.  If your collection day is Tuesday, January 19, you will be serviced on Wednesday, January 20. 
…and so on.
Citiparks
Several Citiparks facilities will adjust operating schedules on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Closed Facilities:
  • Citiparks' 10 recreation centers and 14 Healthy Active Living centers for seniors
  • Oliver Bath House indoor swimming pool
Open Facilities:
  • Mellon Park Tennis Center (regular operating hours)
  • Schenley Park Skating Rink (Sessions: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 4 – 6:30 p.m.)
01/13 2016

Citizens Police Academy & Student Police Academy Registration Extended to 1/28

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Student Police Academy Info/Application:

pdf icon SPA-1-B.pdf
doc icon SPA-information-Police-HQ-Fall-2015-Extended.doc
doc icon The-City-of-Pittsburgh-announcement-Allderdice-High-School.docx
doc icon Updated-Student-PA-Form-ALLDERDICE-S2016.docx

PITTSBURGH CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY 
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 (CPA) brings the police and the community close together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each/
Participants receive three hours of training one evening each week for 15 weeks 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.  Citizens 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.
The next session of the CPA will begin on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at the Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, 2409 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.  The program will be held each Tuesday evening, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 15 weeks.  Click on the pertinent attached documents above for more info.
PITTSBURGH STUDENT POLICE ACADEMY
Similar to the Citizens Police Academy, the City of Pittsburgh is proud to announce that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will be offering an opportunity for students of the Allderdice High School community to receive firsthand knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of being a Pittsburgh Police officer.  The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Student Police Academy (SPA) will be bringing the police and members of the Allderdice student community closer together in a setting that will offer dialogue, discussion and experiences of what policing and its training is all about!
Students will receive two and a half hours of training each Tuesday after school beginning Tuesday, February 2, 2016 for 15 weeks in many of the various and exciting functions of law enforcement.  They’ll experience some of the highlights of police training and will be exposed to the operations of the police bureau.  Student will be taught the basics of criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics and many other subjects.  They’ll learn about the processing of a crime scene, how police canines are used, and will be exposed to many of the specialty police units. SPA participants will meet and talk with many of the street officers that they see on the streets every day, as well as members of the command staff and training staff that serves them.  All this will take place in the safe and entertaining training environment at your Brashear High School! Click on the links above for the pertinent documents for more info.
01/12 2016

Public Works Crews Prepare For Winter Weather

The City of Pittsburgh has issued a Snow Level 1 Alert effective at 11:00 p.m. Monday, January 11, 2016.

The City of Pittsburgh Snow Plow Tracker will be reset at 11:00 p.m. tonight. The 40 vehicle night turn crews (10pm-6am) will address city streets overnight. Current predictions are for 1″ to 3″ of snow overnight with a blast expected for the morning rush hour. If necessary, night turn shifts in each division may be extended past the 6:00 a.m. end time to aid the daytime crew transition during morning rush.

By 6:00 a.m. Tuesday approximately 60 vehicles will be dispatched and crews will work 12 hour shifts until the snow event is complete.

Environmental Services refuse collection remains on schedule for Tuesday. Should refuse pick-up be postponed Tuesday morning, Tuesday pick-ups will be collected on Wednesday and Thursday.

Residents are reminded to visit the City of Pittsburgh Snow Resource Center www.pittsburghpa.gov/snow for all weather related information.

01/10 2016

Drink For Pink 2016 – Thu 2/25, 5-7pm

All Proceeds Benefit Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh
 
Thursday, February 25, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m
Oakland Location: Peter’s Pub (116 Oakland Ave)
 
 
The Oakland Business Improvement District and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership with sponsorship from Dollar Bank, have joined forces to raise funds for Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh by simultaneously hosting Drink for Pink events. 
 
Both locations will include Pittsburgh celebrity bartenders –  a unique twist on the Drink for Pink theme. We'd love to see you there! Last year, we raised over $7,000! All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh.
 
Click here for more information
01/10 2016

Oakland Restaurant Week 1/18 6 Days, $6 Lunches

Spend Smart while Eating Great!
A record of 22 restaurants have teamed up to provide $6 lunches for six days, allowing you to save on lunch without compromising taste. Take advantage of this deal, and you can also enter to win FREE LUNCH FOR A MONTH along with other great prizes from participating Oakland retail businesses.
 
Enjoy a Meatless Monday option thanks to the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants Program — the Oakland Business Improvement District’s way of helping to reduce the impact on the environment.
 
This event is funded by the Oakland Business Improvement District with additional support provided by Sustainable Pittsburgh
 
Click here to see January lineup.
01/09 2016

“Just Eat It” Documentary On Food Waste – Sat 2/13 6pm

Just Eat It explores the topic of why we throw nearly 50% of all food into the trash. Join us to view this documentary, which brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organizations, and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is both educational and entertaining. Snacks will be provided, and there will be plenty of time for conversation.
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EEFC & 412 Food Rescue
Saturday, February 13th, 6 PM
Repair the World: Pittsburgh
6022 Broad Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (click for map)
This event is FREE, and RSVPs are not required!