The Pittsburgh Green House, a project of ACTION-Housing, Inc., is a 110-year-old home that has been renovated as a weatherization training and educational facility where contractors and the general public can learn about residential energy and water savings and making homes healthier. Visitors can browse the resource center for information on do-it-yourself projects, contractors, and retrofit financing; engage in interactive educational activities; discover useful facts on informational signage throughout the building; and interact with our knowledgeable staff.

ACTION-Housing staff, regional experts, and a variety of local nonprofits and product specialists will teach a range of classes geared toward the general public on a rotating schedule. Contractors can receive hands-on training including building science, weatherization skills, blower door technology, and Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification in a typical regional home preparing them for career opportunities in the residential weatherization and retrofit market. Some courses are free, while others have associated fees. Take a look at the calendar to find a class that interests you.

308 North Sheridan Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 362-4PGH

Pittsburgh Green House Website

THE CARNEGIE CRAWL, DO IT ALL!  2nd Fridays May 10-August  5p-8p

Stay after work or come into Carnegie for a fun filled evening. Stroll from one end of Carnegie to the other & see what local businesses, art venues & restaurants have to offer. Each participating business will have an orange snail hanging or displayed in their window & flyers with a map. Visit each business by August & get your flyer stamped then enter a drawing on August 9 to win great prizes. You can turn in your flyer at any participating business.

Participating Businesses: From 528 East Main St. (Exterior Products of Pittsburgh to 513 West Main St. (Talotta’s) and Places in between!

More info

(PITTSBURGH) May 3, 2013 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced that City Environmental Services crews will hold a special fall yard debris collection on Sat., May 18. Bagged leaves, tree branches and bushes will be picked up and recycled for compost as long as those items are properly packaged.
The following items will only be accepted if properly packaged:

  • Bagged leaves: Residents must bag leaves in paper bags only and place them out at your normal refuse collection site. Bags should not exceed 35 pounds. Leaves in plastic bags will not be accepted.
  • Tree branches and bushes: Cut, bundle and tie branches and bushes in lengths not exceeding five feet. Tree branch diameter should not exceed four inches.

City residents must place materials out for residential collection by City refuse/recycling crews on Fri., May 17. Please note that City crews will not collect dirt, rocks, stones or cement. Yard debris left at the curb by contracted lawn care workers or independent contractors will not be collected by City crews.

Residents are invited to share ideas, comments about open space planning in their neighborhood; Meetings from May 7th through 15th
(PITTSBURGH) May 6, 2013 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced the opening of the public comment period and the final public meetings for OpenSpacePGH – the City’s open space, parks and recreation planning effort. The public comment period for the draft of OpenSpacePGH will be available from May 7 to June 7 and can be accessed at http://exchange.planpgh.com/portal, with paper copies of the plan available at all Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations. Draft recommendations were created with public input from nearly 3,000 residents and experts in the field. OpenSpacePGH is part of PLANPGH, the City’s 25-year comprehensive growth plan, which includes 12 components and is projected to be completed in 2015.

Closest meeting: Tuesday, May 14th, 6 to 8 p.m. Schenley Ice Rink, Overlook Drive

More info

OpenSpacePGH

Applications available today at pittsburghpa.gov/ycla  Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 3, 2013. Late applications will not be accepted.
(PITTSBURGH) May 2, 2013 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced that applications are available for the City’s third annual Youth Civic Leadership Academy (YCLA), a free six-session program designed to educate and engage high school students about the inner-workings of City government. From visiting a water treatment plant to meeting with fire fighters and emergency responders, students will learn the ins and outs of Pittsburgh local government. YCLA will take place every Tuesday and Thursday evening beginning July 9 through July 25, 2013 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. YCLA is the youth component of the Mayor’s Civic Leadership Academy, and part of his servePGH initiative.

Applications available from May 1 through May 13
(PITTSBURGH) April 29, 2013 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced that applications are available for the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program (PSYEP). This year’s six-week jobs program will place over 300 young residents in employment with the City, who will gain valuable work experience, earn wages and contribute to Pittsburgh’s economic growth. Since Ravenstahl brought back the program in 2007, nearly 2,700 young people have received summer jobs ranging from restoring and conserving City parks to administrative tasks in an office setting.

More info

Community volunteers will beautify and restore city blocks this spring with help from City departments and The Home Depot Foundation
(PITTSBURGH) April 23, 2013 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced the 24 recipients who will receive funding through the fourth round of his servePGH initiative’s “Love Your Block” grant program – bringing the total number of projects to 64. From Garfield to Elliott, and Beltzhoover to Spring Garden, resident volunteers will partner with the City to transform blighted lots into community assets. Thanks to the generous support of The Home Depot Foundation, organizations will be awarded $1,000 to purchase supplies and equipment. Additionally, a special $2,000 prize will be given to the organization with the most impressive block transformation. Spring project implementation will begin this weekend in Highland Park and the South Side, and will continue through the end of June.

More info

Something new and exciting is coming to Lawn St. The LEAD Civic Engagement Summer Camp of CHS kicks off this June and promises to be a great experience. The camp will exemplify CHS’s core values as we will connect the students to their passions and equip them with the tools they need to become lifelong advocates.

If anyone would like to register their child for the camp, you can do so here. Please share this email with anyone you think might have an interest and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Trevor Smith, Director of Community Programs with CHS at tsmith@chscorp.org  412-246-1615  374 Lawn St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

LEADSummerCampofCHSflyer

Peoples Oakland, 3433 Bates St

This forum will focus on relationships between neighborhood residents, businesses and institutions, issues with difficult landlords and the best practices that help to solve problems and progress that has been made in this regard.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided by Community Human Services.

Sponsored by Central Oakland Community Organization (COCO), Peoples Oakland, Oakland Business Improvement District (OBID), Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (OPDC)

Mayoral and council candidates will be in attendance.

Contact Sandra Phillips at Peoples Oakland at 412-683-7150 for more information.

Biking is a fantastic way to help keep the air clean and get exercise. A short, four-mile round-trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.

That’s why we are thrilled to help promote the 2013 National Bike Challenge, sponsored locally by Bike Pittsburgh and OTB (Over the Bar) Bicycle Cafe in the South Side.

Inflate those tires, oil those chains and gear up for the challenge, which kicks off May 1 and ends September 30. This free and friendly competition encourages Pittsburghers to get out and ride–whether as daily commuters, weekend warriors or somewhere in between. The challenge helps riders realize the health, economic and environmental benefits of riding a bike.

Riders can choose to participate as individuals or teams and see how they stack up against others in the Pittsburgh region and nationwide. This year, Bike Pittsburgh and OTB Bicycle Cafe are working to register 1,250 people to help our region pedal to the top spot in the country.

Participant points favor daily riding–20 points per day, plus 1 point per mile logged. Smartphone users can download a free app to directly track and log trips for the National Bike Challenge. Challenge yourself, your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to get moving, log miles, earn points and be eligible to win prizes at the national level. Pittsburgh riders even earn free drinks at OTB Bicycle Cafe just for participating.

Sign up at nationalbikechallenge.org and start logging your miles today!