Money/Finance

07/04 2017

City Of Pgh 2018 Comm Devt Block Grant Hearings – Thur, 7/13, 6-8 PM

pdf icon CDBG-2018-1.pdf

City of Pittsburgh 2018 CDBG HEARINGS
Thursday, July 13, 2017, 6-8 PM
Manchester Citizens Corporation
1319 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
OR
Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 6-8 PM
West End Senior Center
80 Wabash St., Pittsburgh, PA 15220 
 
The City of Pittsburgh will hold two public hearings to seek
input from interested residents and community
organizations on the 2018 Community Development Block
Grant Program.
The hearings are being held prior to the release of the 2018
Capital Budget to enable the City to adequately review
citizen testimony. In addition, those attending the hearings
are invited to comment on the prior use of the City’s CDBG
funds and other federal funds.
For more information, please contact the Office of Community Affairs
(412)-255-4773
06/12 2017

Rash Of Car Related Thefts – June 2017

pdf icon Zone4-CrimeReport-June5th_to_June_11th.pdf

There have been 6 or 7 theft from cars and 2 cars stolen in South Oakland the last 2 weeks on Hardie Way, Dawson and Parkview. 
 
    We are urging residents to take basic precautions to prevent crimes.   This includes like making sure doors are locked and the importance of leaving nothing visible inside your car.  Obviously this includes anything like laptop, camera, cell-phone, purse, etc., but also anything not as obviously valuable, like an old pair of jeans or worn-looking crumpled sweatshirt. To a hopeful thief, they could contain a wallet, jewelry, etc., 
 
    A related precaution:  Never leave a charger plugged into your vehicle’s accessory-socket!  A potential thief seeing that telltale wire draped across the center-console, might hope to find a cell-phone or GPS, etc. 
 
    Attached is the City Weekly Crime Report for last week. 
06/08 2017

Oakland Community Land Trust Information

pdf icon CLT-brochure-w-poster.pdf

Here in Pittsburgh, Oakland is one of several neighborhoods, including Lawrenceville and Garfield, that is launching a Trust to combat the critical shortage of quality, afford-able homes available to regular homebuyers. Many other neighborhoods are engaging residents to decide if this model works for them. 
 
See the attached pamphlet for an overview and links to more info, and watch for local meetings to discuss implementation.
03/29 2017

412 Food Rescue Challenge For Inclusive Innovation Wk 3/31-4/6

Impactful Innovation 
This year, the City of Pittsburgh is launching the 412 Food Rescue Challenge. They are teaming up with 412 Food Rescue to help save 15,000 pounds of healthy food during Inclusive Innovation Week.
The Mayor, City Council, The Department of Public Works and Public Safety are all on board to do food rescues. They want you to do a rescue, too!
Recipe For Success:
  1. Click here to watch The Video (38 seconds)
  2. Download The 412 Food Rescue Mobile App
  3. Do a Food Rescue!
  4. Tag a Friend or Organization on Social Media to do The 412 Food Rescue Challenge
  5. Use Hashtag #WeInnovatePgh
You can also check out the 412 Food Rescue Organization at
03/28 2017

BRT Public Mtgs/Presentations: Fri 3/31, Tue 4/4, Wed 4/5

pdf icon BRTMtgs201703.pdf

The Bus Rapid Transit project is intended to better connect communities in the Downtown-Oakland-East End corridor, and connect residents to job centers, educational opportunities, medical services and cultural attractions. 
 
The BRT also has the potential to unlock development and contribute to neighborhood growth, increase transit ridership and enhance the environment. 
 
The next BRT presentation will be Friday, March 31 at 8am at the University of Pittsburgh, William Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Ave, Room 540. 
 
Check out the attached flyer for more info on other upcoming public meetings on BRT. 
 
Click here to take the survey to give your opinion on the BRT plans.

03/07 2017

Phipps Conservatory wants to reward you for going green

A visit to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens could mean more than a walk through the flowers—it could mean a more sustainable future for Pittsburgh. Inline image 1
 
The Oakland-based public garden now offers incentives for switching to Green Mountain Energy, one of the largest clean power retailers in the country. Pennsylvania and New York residents who visit Phipps can work with an on-site Green Mountain representative to swap their current electricity provider for power generated by sources such as local wind farms and solar. Every guest who switches during their visit gets a free one-year family membership to Phipps while existing members receive a six-month extension of their membership. 
 
Click here for the entire article for more information.

02/06 2017

2017 Application Period Begins For 2nd “Pgh Lab” Program

Mayor William Peduto, the City of Pittsburgh Department of Innovation & Performance, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, the Housing Authority, and the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority today announced the opening application period for the second cycle of the PGH Lab program. 
 
PGH Lab is a program designed to connect local startup companies with the City of Pittsburgh to explore new ways to use technology and new services to make local government more efficient, transparent, sustainable and inclusive. The program gives the companies an opportunity to beta test their products and gain valuable feedback. During the pilot period startups will be connected with a “city champion” that will guide them through the 3- 4-month pilot period. 
 
Click here to read the full press release for more info.

02/01 2017

Clean Water Assistance Fund 2017

pdf icon Clean-Water-Assistance-Fund-Information.pdf

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority has created the Clean Water Assistance Fund to help families pay their sewage treatment bills. This program serves low-income residential customers in the 83 municipalities that ALCOSAN serves. It is
administered by Dollar Energy Fund. 
 
Who is eligible? The Clean Water Assistance Fund is available to ALCOSAN service area residential homeowners (and tenants who have accounts in their own names) who meet family income limits set by the federal government. 
 
Household size Monthly income Annual income
  • 1 $1,485 $17,820
  • 2 $2,003 $24,030
  • 3 $2,520 $30,240
  • 4 $3,038 $36,450
  • 5 $3,555 $42,660
  • 6 $4,073 $48,870
  • 7 $4,591 $55,095
  • 8 $5,111 $61,335
See the attached flyer for more info.

02/01 2017

East End Food Coop Workshop On Starting Seedlings At Home

Starting Seedlings at HomeInline image 1
Saturday, February 18th at 1:00 PM
Danielle Marvit, Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery
POWER/EEFC Conference Room 
 
Garden Dreams head farmer Danielle Marvit will provide tips on selecting seed varieties and discuss how to properly germinate, pot up, feed, and harden off homegrown seedlings. Please bring seeds to swap! 
 
To RSVP for this event, please call 412.242.3598.    
 
Click here to visit the EEFC website.

01/30 2017

Beware Of Latest Phone Scam: “Can You Hear Me Now”

The link below is a news story for information about a recent telephone scam.  Please feel free to share with family, friends and members of your community groups or organizations. 
 
If you receive a phone call from someone asking “can you hear me,” hang up. You’re a potential victim in the latest scam circulating around the U.S. 
 
The police are now warning about the scheme, which also sparked warnings by Pennsylvania authorities late last year. The “can you hear me” con is actually a variation on earlier scams aimed at getting the victim to say the word “yes”, or "OK" or similar answer in a phone conversation. That affirmative response is recorded by the fraudster and used to authorize unwanted charges on a phone or utility bill or on a purloined credit card. 
 
The recommendation is to not answer unknown calls, and let them go to voicemail or an answering machine.  See the news report for more info and recommendations.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/beware-new-can-you-hear-me-scam/
01/23 2017

PLI Community Forum – Wed 2/8 9am – 200 Ross St

The next PLI Community forum will be on Wednesday February 8th, 2017 at 9am
1st Floor Conference Room, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh PA 15219
Please RSVP. 
 
The topic will focused on trade licenses such as general contractors, Electricians, HVAC technicians, Sign Contractors, and Stationary Engineers. Our Business Administrator Nereida Polanco will be joining the discussion.
For more information, visit the PLI license website. 
 
For checklists, bulletins, code interpretations, permit applications, license applications, and other information, please visit the PLI website. 
 
To view a building permit application status, code enforcement violations, and valid licenses, visit buildingeye.

01/05 2017

Oakland Restaurant Week 1/30-2/4, New Restaurant Opening

Oakland Restaurant Week 1/30-2/4
6 Days, $6 Lunches!
Win free lunch for a month as well as other great prizes from Oakland retail shops! 
 
Also, enjoy a Meatless Monday option thanks to the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants Program — OBID’s way of helping to reduce the impact on the environment. 
   
Click here to see OBID website for more info 
 
Piada Italian Street Food Grand Opening!Inline image 2
January 16, 2017 
 
Piada Italian Street Food is opening January 16th! Sign up for a chance to be a VIP and eat for FREE prior to our Grand Opening:
www.mypiada.com/oakland
12/20 2016

City Council Passes Bill Creating Housing Opp Fund

City Council passed Councilman Daniel Lavelle's legislation that creates a Housing Opportunity Fund for Pittsburgh. The Fund will ensure that every neighborhood in our city receives the investment it needs and that longtime residents are able to share in the “New Pittsburgh.” The Fund will help stop the displacement of low income individuals by keeping housing affordable, and create strong, stable communities where all Pittsburghers can thrive. 
 
Pittsburgh is currently facing a shortage of nearly 17,000 affordable rental units. The lack of affordable housing has become a pressing issue in recent years as new development has driven up the housing prices in neighborhoods long occupied by low and middle income residents. This legislation will address the issue of creating affordable options in the City of Pittsburgh. 
 
Click here to read more about the legislation.
11/29 2016

Pitt’s Oakland Bakery & Market Seeking Community Input On Food Choices

pdf icon OaklandFARMPamphlet_V2.pdf
pdf icon OaklandFARMSurvey.pdf

Pitt's Oakland Bakery & Market are considering having more grocery store components. Their ultimate goal is for it to become somewhat like a food co-op, but more ingrained. 
 
They want to know about residents' interests and concerns about having this kind of store available in Oakland.
Join the conversation by filling out the online survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G8CPYWW 
 
Please pass on to any neighbors either by email or sharing a copy of the survey attached. 
 
On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/OBMPGH

11/28 2016

Self-Employment Workshop For 50+ – Wed 11/30 5-6:30pm CLP Homewood

pdf icon WFY50+-Flyer-A-Nov-30.pdf
pdf icon SmBusDev50.pdf

The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center is pleased to announce that it is offering Work for Yourself@50+ workshops in our community. 
 
AARP Foundation’s Work for Yourself@50+ will help low- and moderate-income adults age 50+ gain the knowledge, support, and resources they need to make informed decisions and take the right first steps toward successful self-employment. The 90-minute workshop will walk participants through the Work for Yourself@50+ materials and connect them with local resources to help them reach their goals. 
 
The first workshop will be offered on Wednesday, November 30th , at 5:00pm-6:30pm at the Carnegie Library in Homewood.