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.

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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

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!

May 7 World Asthma Day Event Includes First-Ever Review of Scientific Literature on Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Pittsburgh, Finding Serious Implications for Area Residents

PITTSBURGH – Local and national health experts are convening in Pittsburgh on May 7 for the second annual regional Summit on asthma and other health concerns associated with poor air quality. The day-long symposium will address Pittsburgh’s asthma epidemic, as well as newly presented findings about how air pollution affects birth outcomes, cancer and cardiopulmonary illness and mortality rates.

Organized by Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and the Breathe Project, with the support of The Heinz Endowments and the Suburban Health Foundation, “The Air We Breathe: A Regional Summit on Asthma and Other Health Impacts of Air Pollution” will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.

THE EAST END WORKS COLLABORATIVE JOB FAIR
Sent 05/01/2013 @ 1:17 pm
Greetings,
On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 a job fair will take place at the Eastminster Presbyterian Church at 250 N. Highland Avenue (across from the Home Depot) from 4pm to 6pm. This will be an opportunity to meet 75+ employers from the banking, retail and healthcare industry along with social services, food service, and labor jobs represented. Early access will be provided to veterans, foster care youth, and individuals with criminal background issues beginning   at 3pm.
For resume assistance, please contact the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center at 412-362-8580 or go to their website at www.enecpittsburgh.org.
Thank you,
R. Daniel Lavelle
PITTSBURGH SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (PSYEP)
Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program Applications Are Now Available
Sent 05/01/2013 @ 12:20 pm

Greetings,

The Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program (PSYEP) provides a six week work experience for youth ages 14-21.  Work assignments follow two tracks:  conservation related outdoor work where youth crews help to restore or maintain public properties and parks; or internships in public sector or private sector offices performing a wide range of business or clerical functions. Youth are paid $7.25 per hour and work six hours per day.  The core work period is July 2nd through August 10th, 2012.

To apply, please click hereApplications are accepted from Monday, May 1st to Monday, May 13th.

Thank you,

R. Daniel Lavelle

The 2013 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is quickly approaching with an exciting schedule full of performing art, visual art, and creativity in motion.

The iconic 10 days in June kicks off Pittsburgh’s summer festival season starting Friday, June 7 with the reopening of the Point State Park fountain and a concert by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Start planning your festival must-sees with our full event schedule. Whether you’re looking for a great live show at the Dollar Bank stage or finding the perfect piece to add to your art collection at the Artist Market, this year’s festival has got you covered.

Visit the website

NATIONAL DRUG TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

Upcoming Take-Back Day — April 27, 2013 (10:00AM – 2:00PM)
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

  • CMU Police Dept, CMU Police Dept, 300 S. CRAIG ST, Pgh PA, 15213
  • UPMC Police, Children’s Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy, 4401 Penn Ave, Floor 1, Pgh, PA, 15224
  • Pgh Police
    • Zone 2 Station, 2000 Centre Ace, Pgh, PA, 15219
    • Zone 4 Station, 5858 Northumberland St, Pgh, PA, 15217
    • Zone 3 Station, 830 East Warrington Ave, Pgh, PA, 15210
    • Zone 5 Station, 1401 Washington Blvd, Pgh, PA, 15206
    • Zone 1 Station, 1501 Brighton Rd, Pgh, PA, 15212

More Details

An alternative detour will be in place during this weekend’s closure of the eastbound (outbound) Squirrel Hill Tunnel for ongoing construction work.

During the closure, a detour on the Parkway East (Interstate 376) will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Monday. Expect significant delays and allow extra time.

The ramp from Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) to eastbound I-376 will also be closed this weekend, so PennDOT will use the alternative tunnel detour that sends traffic through Wilkinsburg. Signs will be posted to guide drivers.

(See official detour map | Alternate detour map)
WTAE news report