Author: admin

01/14 2015

Pgh Citizens 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 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.
http://pittsburghpa.gov/police/citizens_police_academy.htm
01/12 2015

Univ Of Pittsburgh Attempting World Record Of Clothing Donations By End Of Feb


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

01/11 2015

Pgh Restaurant Week – Jan 12-18

More than 50 restaurants will participate in Pittsburgh Restaurant Week from Jan. 12-18.

Read more: http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/pittsburgh-restaurant-week-to-return-with-discounts/-/10927008/16050250/-/i40vcg/-/index.html#ixzz3OYl5hZ61

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

http://pittsburghrestaurantweek.com/

01/09 2015

Pgh Community Service Career Fair – Fri 1/16 10am-2pm

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.

01/08 2015

City Opens Warming Centers Due to Frigid Temperatures

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.
01/07 2015

Pgh Bike Share Plans To Start Up In Spring 2015

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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:
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/01/05/Bike-Share-plans-to-start-up-in-the-spring/stories/201501050019?ClearCache=1
Pgh Bike Share website:
http://www.pghbikeshare.org/

01/06 2015

Winterfest Fundraiser for Grtr Pgh Comm Food Bank, Sat 1/31 1-5pm

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.
http://www.eastendfood.coop/archives/7585

01/01 2015

2015 Christmas Tree Recycling

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

12/23 2014

Hydroponics Research Project In South Oakland – Host Volunteers Needed

Central Page with Research Project Links

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UPDATE 2/18/15

The hydroponics workshop will be 3-4pm Sunday 2/22 at Frazier Fieldhouse.

pdf icon Workshop Flyer

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UPDATE 2/13/15

Check out update to specifications with pictures at new post

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UPDATE 2/9/15

We are asking for input on the Hydroponics Workshop date and time.  Please contact SONG through the contact page to request the link to those choices.

Click here for SONG Contact Page

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UPDATE 1/18/15

We have received a couple of inquiries about being a host site. Obviously the more the merrier, but also the better to help improve the project, so if you are interested, definitely let us know.

Several changes or clarifications that came from questions so far on the installations and introductory workshop:

  • The installations will assume using fluorescent grow lights since there are very limited windows with enough direct sunlight.
  • The plants grown will be a last minute decision of Bib, Romaine or similar lettuce that does just fine with artificial light.
  • The design can be somewhat smaller area than originally thought, and some customization for each site. If you are interested, let us know and the students can discuss with you in more detail.
  • The workshop “Hydroponics 101” will be delayed till later in January or early February. Please let us know if you or someone you know would be interested in attending.

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Hi everyone!

Recently, a group of students at Pitt has been accepted into the Honors College Community-Based Research Fellowship program for the spring semester and the community group they chose to partner with is SONG! The project is focused on implementing hydroponics, or the growing of plants without soil, in our community over the winter. Developing an effective way to cheaply grow food over the winter can begin to empower and assist communities with limited fresh food access.

How does it work?

Plants are started as seedlings in a growth medium within a greenhouse tray for a few days and then transplanted into a PVC piping system for culturing and harvesting. This hydroponic piping system carries a mineral nutrient-rich solution within water to stimulate plant growth. With a few weeks of good water circulation, the plants will be ready for harvesting. The specific plant we’ll be using is bibb lettuce, because it’s been proven as a successful hydroponic plant.

What role does SONG play?

From early February to early April, three SONG community members (see below) will have one of these hydroponic systems installed in their residences. Every week, at a time of the residents’ choosing, one of the students will visit and make sure the equipment is running properly and get feedback about system improvements. If you’d like to get involved, here are a few ways to engage:

  • Introductory Workshop  “Hydroponics 101”:  Tentatively January 20th at 6pm.  The students will be presenting an introductory workshop for the community to learn about hydroponic cultivation and growing their own food!

  • WE NEED VOLUNTEERS:  February through April – Three interested South Oakland residents will be housing a hydroponic system. Participants will get to keep any of the lettuce harvested, gain valuable hydroponics experience and help with the research and development of more affordable, easy-to-use hydroponic systems and food production. The only major requirements are:

    • a 3’ x 6’ floor space near a window (preferably facing south, but not required)

    • room temperatures over 60°F

    • Able to meet one hour weekly so the students can check the system, collect data and feedback.

Let us know if you have any questions.  We would like to hear from those willing to volunteer to host these systems as soon as possible to go over other details of the project and plan for the installations.   If you know any other South Oakland neighbors that might be interested in learning more about hydroponics, or this project, please let them know and have them contact us to get involved.

Check back for any new details.

Sincerely,

South Oakland Neighborhood Group

12/22 2014

Volunteer To Be A Snow Angel

Do something this holiday season that will make all the difference! Sign up with Snow Angels.  It will mean the world to your neighbors.
Snow Angels 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.
Allegheny County Snow Angels Program Website
http://alleghenysnowangels.org/
12/19 2014

A Loss To Our Community

Peggy at SOCD 2013Peggy at SOCD 2013

One of our neighbors, Virginia “Peggy” Johnson passed away Wednesday morning.  She was a regular attendee to SONG meetings and her help and contributions were invaluable to a number of activities and events including South Oakland Community Day.  She will be greatly missed. Please check back for more info as we get it on arrangements.

Click here for Post-Gazette Obituary

12/19 2014

Public Mtg: Joncaire Steps Project 1/15, 2015, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Public Meeting: Joncaire Steps Project
January 15, 2015 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works (DPW) recently received $384,000 in federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to demolish and rebuild the Joncaire Street Steps. The steps connect from Panther Hollow to Central Oakland near Schenley Plaza. For years, the steps have been unlit, enclosed by vegetation, and crumbling.Reconstruction will include doubling the current steps’  width, installing new lighting and two bike ramps or ‘runnels’, and making landscaping improvements to the surrounding area.
Oakland Planning and Development Corporation and OTMA will work with DPW to engage the Oakland community and gather input at three points during the design process. The first of these public meetings is Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 6:00 pm in the Oakland Career Center at 294 Semple Street. Join us to discuss the preliminary designs for reconstructing the Joncaire Street Steps.