Institutions

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

12/19 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.
12/18 2014

County, City, Pitt & CMU Receive Award To Build Technology Infrastructure

Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh — working in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University — will build joint technology infrastructure that will provide leaders and citizens with data-driven tools to improve the effectiveness of local government.
The Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded $1.8 million to fund the first 18 months of the effort, supporting three major initiatives.
The city and county will create a Government Solutions Engineering team of data experts to seek ways to spur local government modernization and supply data-driven management tools to government leaders. The team will work on ways to make government more efficient and customer-friendly for residents; standardize data formats; better track public spending via performance-based budgeting; and synthesize data on tax delinquency and code enforcement to better track problem property owners.
Read the full press release:
http://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/release?id=3876
11/26 2014

City Offices Closed For Holiday 11/27 & 11/28

City of Pittsburgh offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow and Friday, Nov. 28.
There will be refuse collection Friday however.
The Department of Public Works advises that there will not be any refuse, bulk waste or recycling collection on Thursday in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
The schedule will proceed as follows:  If your scheduled day of collection is Thursday, Nov. 27, you will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 28. If your collection day is Friday, Nov. 28, you will be serviced Saturday, Nov. 29.
If you should have any questions concerning your collection, you may contact Environmental Services at 412-255-2773.
11/22 2014

Oakland Leadership Celebration – Mon 12/15 5:30-7:30pm

5:30pm Cocktail Reception
6:30pm Panel Discussion
Monday, December 15, 2014
Alumni Hall
4227 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

(Click here for directions)

The Oakland Leadership Celebration will honor two major community milestones: the 175th anniversary of our community along with all new leadership at the helm of five of Oakland’s anchor community institutions. The Oakland Task Force in partnership with the Oakland Business Improvement District is hosting a community wide gala event to mark this momentous year for Oakland and for the greater Pittsburgh region. The event will include a community social hour followed by a moderated panel presentation.
  • Leslie C. Davis – Senior Vice President of UPMC, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Health Services Division
  • Patrick D. Gallagher – Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh
  • Suzanne K. Mellon – President of Carlow University
  • Jo Ellen Parker – President of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
  • Subra Suresh – President of Carnegie Mellon University
Moderator: Bill Flanagan, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Relations for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
Make sure to register today!  Space is limited and registration is required.
10/23 2014

Free Dental Screening

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine will offer free dental care to patients with cavities who are available in February and agree to participate in a cavity screening.
The class of 2015 at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is preparing to take their clinical boards to obtain licensure. Class members have begun screening for patients with specific types of cavities to fulfill requirements on the examination. Individuals with these types of cavities who agree to serve as patients during the board examination will receive free filling(s) for these cavities from a class of 2015 dental student.
You will receive the following free services:
  • Cavity screening and x-rays
  • Report identifying existing cavities
  • Duplication and distribution of x-rays to your private dentist, if needed
  • Fee waiver for initial exam and treatment plan if you receive treatment at the School of Dental Medicine
  • Free oral health kit
Free services rendered are valued at up to $257.
Please note: participants must be available to serve as a patient during one of the board examination dates: February 5th and 6th, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cavity screening process will take only about 30 minutes.
Please use the SONG contact page to request the link to their signup page.
http://SouthOaklandPgh.org/contact/
10/02 2014

Planning Commission Hearing On UPMC Master Plan – Tue 10/21 2PM

The UPMC Institutional Master Plan is scheduled for Planning Commission action on Tuesday, October 21, 2:00 PM, 200 Ross Street, First Floor hearing room.

This would be a continued hearing from May 13.

The plan and a recently-added appendix can be found here, left side of the page:
http://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/presbyterian/pages/default.aspx
09/30 2014

Allegh Cnty Health Assessment Community Mtg – Mon 10/6 6:30pm

The Allegheny County Health Department will share information about residents’ health and is asking for community response about health issues that concern them at a series of community meetings. The link below leads to a description and calender of meetings.
A meeting is scheduled for October 6 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM at the Carnegie Library’s East Liberty branch, located at 130 South Whitfield Street.
For more info and full schedule:
09/03 2014

Public Mtg On Demolition Of Former Children’s Hospital Tower – Wed 9/17 6-8PM

CANCELLED – TO BE RESCHEDULED

(The meeting for the UPMC south tower demolition that was supposed to happen this Wednesday has been postponed.  The city is asking for some additional revisions to the plan so everything is being pushed back until further notice.)
Wednesday, September 17th 6-8pm
Oakland Career Center
294 Semple St
Hear from UPMC representatives about plans for the demolition of the former Children’s Hospital Tower.
Plus updates on other neighborhood projects.
Check OPDC.org for updates.
08/16 2014

Oakcliffe-South Oakland Neighborhood Block Party

How do you follow up an event like the
Sept 6th South Oakland Community Day?

OAKCLIFFE – SOUTH OAKLAND NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY!
FREE FOOD FOR ALL! – FREE T-SHIRTS FOR STUDENTS!
When: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: CHS Community Center, 374 Lawn Street
All South Oakland residents are encouraged to attend, as well as students from all schools.
07/02 2014

Celebrate Oakland’s 175th Anniversary! Fri & Sat 10/10 & 10/11

Celebrate Oakland’s
175th Anniversary!
Schenley Plaza
Friday & Saturday,
October 10 & 11, 2014

Oakland Forever is a huge celebration of the people, places and things that make Oakland a fantastic neighborhood.  This truly community driven event is being organized and led by Oakland community organizations, institutions and businesses.  Drawing on the profound history of Oakland, the current culture of innovation among institutional partners, and the strong sense of community pride, this fête will highlight and mark Oakland’s unique and vibrant character.
You can contribute to the planning for this event by filling out this survey

Oakland Forever Survey
For more info check out their website:
Oakland Forever Website