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.

02/01 2017

Feb 2017 – Free Or Almost Free Stuff To Do In Pgh

Find year-round events for fun, entertaining and engaging things to do in the greater Pittsburgh Area.
Having fun doesn’t have to empty your wallet! Many of Pittsburgh’s annual events are free, family friendly and deliver a unique experience.
A sampling of ongoing and upcoming events and places to visit: 
Check out their website for the complete list and links to respective sites.
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/events-festivals/free-events/  
 
Also check out the list of great family adventures in Pittsburgh this month from NEXTPittsburgh Inline image 1
  • Hervé Tullet exhibit at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Now-February 26
  • Party in the Tropics at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: February 3, 7—11 p.m
  • The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh: January 26—February 4
  • The Addams Family at Shady Side Academy: February 10-12
  • Ice skating with BikePGH at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex: February 12
  • Valentine’s Day and Ginger Whiskey Weekend at Wigle Whiskey: February 14, 17, 18, 19
  • Award-winning acrobatics group Galumpha at various venues: February 14-19
  • The Harry Potter Film and Cultural Festival at Row House Cinema: February 17-March 2
  • Firelei Báez: Bloodlines at The Andy Warhol Museum: February 17–May 21
  • Tropical Forest Congo Festival at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: February 18
  • Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center: February 24 & 25

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/
01/30 2017

Feb 2017 – Oakwatch Mtg Wed 2/15 Noon, Green Team Mtg 2/16 6pm

Oakwatch : The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
Third Wednesdays
February 15, Noon, St. Regis Church Social Hall, 3235 Parkview Avenue
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Oakwatch webpage 
 
Green Team : Putting the “oak” back in Oakland
Third Thursdays
February 16, 6pm, Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Green Team webpage
 
01/30 2017

City Of Pgh Seeking Resident Reps For Complete Streets Advisory Board

Recently, Pittsburgh City Council has adopted a Complete Streets Policy. As a part of that policy, a Complete Streets Advisory Board will be formed to advise the City on best practices and projects for more bike-friendly and walkable streets.
More information on the new policy can be found here. 
 
On the Advisory Board will be 4 resident representatives. The Department of City Planning is accepting applications for resident representatives.
The application can be found here. 
 
01/26 2017

Support PWSA’s Green First Plan!

There is only a few days left to submit public comments to PWSA on their City-Wide Green-First Plan! Tell PWSA that you support their Green-First City-Wide plan because of the benefits that green infrastructure will bring to your neighborhood! 
   
The plan reduces combined sewer overflows and flooding, and also brings benefits to our community such as cooler temperatures in the summer, revitalized neighborhoods with more green space and street trees, cleaner air, and it fights climate change locally. 
   
The City-Wide Green-First Plan solves multiple problems, generates community benefits, and cleans our waterways quicker than the ALCOSAN tunnel plan. This plan shows that a green first approach is what's best for our City and the smartest way to invest ratepayer money. 
   
Now ALCOSAN must completely expand the study and adopt the plan so that all CSO communities throughout the region can get the same benefits for their money. 
   
Voice your support for the Green-First plan here! 
   
Check out their website, cleanriverscampaign.org

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.

01/10 2017

Bazaar Magazine Names Pgh 4th Among 17 Best Places To Travel In 2017

The 'Burgh is "America's Most Underrated City–and for good reason. It's not the first thing you think of when dreaming of a weekend getaway, innovative food scene or art hub, but it delivers on all accounts in droves."
They mention Pittsburgh as the birthplace of Andy Warhol but not specifically South Oakland.  But we know!
Click here to read the full article.

01/10 2017

Vanpool Group Forming From Evans City, Cranberry To Oakland

pdf icon EvansCityCommute.pdf

If you know anyone currently or planning to commute to Oakland, please print out the attached flyer and/or pass along the info below.

CommuteInfo Wants You to be part of a New Vanpool from Evans City Area to Oakland 
 
A new vanpool group is trying to form from Evans City/Cranberry to Oakland. 
 
What you need to know:
  • Someone already has volunteered to take on the role of Coordinator
  • At least 7 additional people need to say they want to be part of this group 
  • At least 2 people would have to be willing to be drivers, others to help with data collection, or taking the vehicle in for service
  • The group would arrive to Oakland for an 8 AM start time, and leave at 4:30 PM.
  • Exact pick-up locations would be decided by the group
The estimated cost would be about $100 per person per month (assuming 8 riders – the cost would go down if there were more riders). This cost includes the vehicle, the maintenance, driver checks, insurance and parking (donated by the University of Pittsburgh). 
 
From the time of the group’s commitment, it usually takes 4 weeks to get started. 
 
For more information, email CommuteInfo@spcregion.org or call the phone number on the flyer above.

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
01/03 2017

Jan 2017 – Free Or Almost Free Stuff To Do In Pgh

Find year-round events for fun, entertaining and engaging things to do in the greater Pittsburgh Area.
Having fun doesn’t have to empty your wallet! Many of Pittsburgh’s annual events are free, family friendly and deliver a unique experience.
A sampling of ongoing and upcoming events and places to visit:
Check out their website for the complete list and links to respective sites.
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/events-festivals/free-events/  
 
Also check out the list of great family adventures in Pittsburgh this month from NEXTPittsburgh 
  • Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps: Nov 25 – Jan 8
  • Pittsburgh Restaurant Week: January 9—15
  • Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District: January 20
  • The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh: January 26—February 4
  • Imbibe Northside at the Mattress Factory: January 28
  • Multiple Choice Hip-Hop at the August Wilson Center: January 29
http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/events/10-pittsburgh-events-not-miss-january-2/   

01/03 2017

Jan 2017 – Oakwatch Mtg Wed 1/18 6pm, Green Team Mtg 1/19 6pm

Oakwatch : The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
Third Wednesdays (alternating meeting times at Noon and 6pm)
January 18, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213
NOTE: Evening meetings now on odd numbered months and daytime meetings now on even numbered months.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Oakwatch webpage 
 
​​Green Team : Putting the “oak” back in Oakland
Third Thursdays
​January 19, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Green Team webpage

01/01 2017

Zone 4 Public Safety Council – Thu 1/19 6pm, JCC; Meet Acting Chief Scott Schubert

pdf icon PSC-Zone-4-Meet-Acting-Chief-of-Police-Schubert.pdf

The Zone 4 Public Safety Council will be on Thursday January 19 6pm, Jewish Community Center, 5738 Darlington Rd. Meet Acting Chief Scott Schubert.  Hear about Acting Chief Schubert's vision for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police & the City of Pittsburgh.  Discuss the importance of Community-Police relations and what's happening in Pittsburgh. 
Light refreshments will be served.
See the attached flyer for more info.