Environment/Health

10/30 2013

Free Home Repair Workshop – Nov 6 6pm-7:30pm

Time: 6PM to 7:30PM Location: East End Food Co-op • 7516 Meade Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208

DEAWP’s (Diagnostic Energy Auditors, Western PA) approach to solving some of the most common but hidden problems underneath our roofs by looking at case studies of three homes in the East End. Free! 6-7.30pm, Nov 6 at the East End Food Co-op • 7516 Meade Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208

  • The first case study is a Victorian home that had been plagued with comfort and health issues.
  • The second house is a 1950s ranch that was merely a furnace and air conditioning upgrade until the entire house was examined.
  • The third project is a 1950s two-story home that began as a health hazard and turned into healthy home.

Click to check out their website

10/23 2013

Green Team Notices: Energy Audit, Daffodil Sale, Next Meeting Thur Nov 21

Find out what happens in a Home Energy Audit

Come find out how to save energy costs in your own home!  Energy audit is being conducted at the Brewton home, 232 Robinson Street, on Saturday November 9th.  Stop by between 10-12 to learn energy saving tips.  Coffee provided!
RSVP to barbarabrewton @ verizon.net.  The audit is provided through a partnership with ReEnergize Pittsburgh.

Imagine cheerful daffodils everywhere you look in Oakland!

Oakland Green Team has selected the DAFFODIL as the Oakland Flower, and we have bulbs to sell! They are $1 each or 12 for $10.  The particular variety is the “Arkle” a classic yellow trumpet daffodil that blooms in April and stands 18-20 inches tall.

Contact Barb Brewton at barbarabrewton @ verizon.net if you are interested in purchasing bulbs to promote a beautiful springtime in our neighborhood.

Also mark your calendars for our next meeting on November 21, 6pm

10/10 2013

Oakwatch Meeting Wed Oct 16, 6-7:30pm at Career Center

The upcoming meeting is next Wednesday, October 16th from 6-7:30PM at the Oakland Career Center at 294 Semple Street. Please find  the minutes from the last meeting on the Oakwatch website.

Oakwatch is requesting that when you do call 911 about any Oakland incident, that you please fill out an incident report and send it back. You can email it to oakwatch@opdc.org, fax it to 412.621.5920, or simply mail or drop it off at 235 Atwood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  They have been compiling this data to track enforcement efforts in the neighborhood. They will protect your privacy- they will not share your name, just the data related to the incident. Please share this form far and wide with your neighbors.

Upcoming Oakland Housing Court cases for Thursday October 17th’s hearing at 10am. If you are available that day, the support would be appreciated. If you intend to testify at any of these, please let them know.

All hearings are on Thursday, October 17th starting at 10:00 AM
before Judge Ricciardi
1700 East Carson Street, 3rd Floor

3319 Niagara Street: Continuance
Violations: Overgrown weeds and grass, garbage and debris property
Owner: Bella Pepper

3124 Blvd of Allies: Continuance
Violations: Failure to apply for certificate of occupancy; failure to secure certificate of occupancy
Owner: Ernest Fagnelli

3319 Juliet Street:
Violations: General unsafe structure; incorrect handrails on front entry steps, exterior steps and interior basement steps; incorrect/ insufficient locations of smoke alarms
Owner: Robert V. Torkeo

244 Robinson Street: Continuance
Violations: Overgrown weeds and grass
Owners: Robert G Bell and Alecia Davenport-Bell

 

09/27 2013

FREE Electronics Recycling Event – Sat Oct 12, 10am-2pm Forbes Tower Lot @ Atwood & Sennott

The City will no longer take your electronics curbside.  Help the planet by disposing with us!

Saturday, October 12, 2013 10am – 2pm, Forbes Tower Lot located at the corner of Atwood and Sennott Streets, behind Forbes Tower.

Bring any of your old electronics, including:  TVs, Computers, Laptops, Monitors, Cell Phones, Printers/copiers, Wires/cables, Car batteries

For more information contact: OPDC’s Keep It Clean, Oakland! Manager Josh Litvik (412) 621-7863 x24 or kico@opdc.org

 

Oct 2013 Recycling EventOct 2013 Recycling Event
08/26 2013

Applications For Free Sidewalk Tree Due Sun Sept 15

If you’re interested in a free tree for the sidewalk, click here to download the Tree Request form and bring it to the SONG meeting on Wed Sept 4, or give or mail it to David Zwier at 235 Atwood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  The deadline to have them as part of this neighborhood grouping is Sunday Sept 15.  There will be a site inspection, because not all locations are suitable for trees.

You can also volunteer to help plant and maintain the trees.  More info on TreeVitalize Pittsburgh’s website

08/24 2013

Development of County Health Dept Bldg on Forbes – Info at COCO Mtg Mon, Sep 9 6PM

The old Allegheny Health Department building at 3333 Forbes Ave has been sold and is slated for a new development project.  OPDC has been in talks with the developer, they will be coming to the Sept. 9th Central Oakland Community Organization (COCO) meeting to present their plans.  Additionally, there will be a presentation on an apartment building development in Central Oakland. The meeting will be held in the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St.

08/20 2013

Pitt’s Kids Family Saturdays – Fall 2013

The PITT’S KIDS program provides instruction in aquatics and physical activity to children ages 3—13 years old. As a developmental program Pitt’s Kids is comprised of two parts: Physical Activity in the gym and Aquatic Instruction in the pool.  All children involved participate in a variety of age appropriate activities with a focus on progressive skill instruction. These Sat. mornings offers two
sessions including: 50 min. of physical activity and 50 min. of aquatic instruction, plus a Parent Fitness program for parents of children who participate.

Check out the Brochure or Pitt’s Community Leisure Learning Website for more info.

08/08 2013

OPDC’s “Good Neighbor” Handouts For Oakland Students And Residents

(still updating this post as links to sources are added and verified)

Oakland Planning & Development Corporation (OPDC) has put together a bag with some useful information about living in Oakland and being a “Good Neighbor”.   OPDC is seeking volunteers to commit to specific blocks and days for the door-knocking campaign. Specifically Saturdays August 24 and September 7.  They will provide lunch and supplies for volunteers. To get involved, please contact bnino@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 ext. 21.

Pitt will host community block parties on September 11th, 19th, and 26th in Oakcliffe, Central Oakland, North Oakland, respectively. OPDC will publish specific places and times as they confirm details. These parties are free and open to all neighbors.

Included in the bag are:

 

08/05 2013

Hazelwood section of bike, hiking trail to close temporarily

Last summer, officials lauded the launch of a new bike trail in Hazelwood as a new step toward revitalizing the struggling neighborhood. On Monday, the trail will close for the same reason.

The closure of the two-mile portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail is supposed to be temporary while earth-moving and grading begins for a $1 billion redevelopment of the former LTV coke works. But it could still take “several months” before another trail — currently linking Hazelwood Avenue with the Hot Metal Bridge — can be built, said Thomas Baxter, executive director of Friends of the Riverfront.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/hazelwood-section-of-bike-hiking-trail-to-close-temporarily-697850/#ixzz2b7ZSfwVN

08/05 2013

PCRG Bike Ride through Pgh, Sunday, August 18 at 8AM

Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group’s (PCRG) staff is heading out for casual ride throughout the City on Sunday, August 18 at 8AM, and we want you to come along! The ride will consist of trail, road, and an ambitious climb up Liberty Avenue towards Bloomfield. We won’t leave anyone behind!

The event is free, but please RSVP with sam@pcrg.org so we can get a sense of how many people would like to go.

PCRG.org

http://www.endomondo.com/routes/219830230

07/16 2013

Pittsburgh “Green” House July/August Workshops

The Pittsburgh Green House, a project of ACTION-Housing, Inc., is a weatherization training and educational facility where contractors and the general public can learn about residential energy usage, water savings and improving the comfort of housing.

  • How To: Building an Attic Hatch Box and Insulation Basics – Monday, July 22 10:00AM – 11:30AM – $10
  • Effective Solutions for Stormwater Management with Clean Rivers Campaign – Wednesday, July 24 6:00PM – 7:00PM – $5
  • Home Energy Audit with EECO Center – Saturday, July 27 10:00AM – 11:00AM –
  • Home Water Audit – Tuesday, July 30 6:00PM – 7:00PM – $5
  • Residential Solar with Standard Solar – Saturday, August 3 10:00AM – 11:00AM – Free
  • Composting Basics with Allegheny Organics – Saturday, August 17 10:00AM – 11:00AM – $12

Register for workshops  online

Check out their website

07/16 2013

OPDC E-Newsletter #18 – July 2013

Link to Newsletter

In This Issue