12/21 2016

2016 Holiday Schedule Changes For City Offices & Services

The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works advises that there will not be any refuse, bulk waste or recycling collection on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 in observance of Christmas and on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 in observance of New Year's Day. 
 
City of Pittsburgh offices will also be closed on both days. 
 
The Holiday Refuse Collection schedule will proceed as follows:  
Normal collection day for Tuesday, Dec. 27 changed to Wednesday, Dec. 28.
And collection day for Tuesday, Jan. 3 changed to Wednesday, Jan. 4. 
 
If you should have any questions concerning your collection, you may contact Environmental Services at (412) 255-2773. 
 
Citiparks 
 
The following Citiparks facilities will adjust operating hours in observance of the Christmas holiday by closing at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, and remaining closed on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25: 
  • Mellon Park Tennis Center
  • Schenley Park Skating Rink
  • Oliver Bath House indoor swimming pool
Citiparks' 10 community recreation centers and 14 Healthy Active Living senior centers will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 26. Recreation Centers will operate under a holiday schedule of 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. from Dec. 27 – 30. 
 
For information concerning Citiparks programs and services, visit www.Citiparks.net. 
 
SCHENLEY SKATING RINK HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 
 
The Schenley Park Skating Rink will offer additional skating sessions Dec. 26 – 30. A complete holiday schedule can be found here: http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/Christmas_–_Schenley_Rink.pdf    

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.
12/19 2016

Dec 2016 – Oakwatch Mtg Wed 12/21 6pm, Green Team Mtg – Cancelled

Oakwatch : The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
Third Wednesdays (alternating meeting times at Noon and 6pm)
​Decem​ber ​2​1, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 152131
​Introducing new co-chair Bob Koller​.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Oakwatch webpage 
 
​​Green Team : Putting the “oak” back in Oakland
Third Thursdays
​Cancelled for December, next meeting Thursday, January 19, 2017.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Green Team webpage
12/17 2016

Phipps Winter Flower Show, Winter Light Garden, Garden Railroad: 200 Yrs of Pgh

Three Holiday Shows for the Price of One 
 
Just one ticket price this holiday season gives you access to our Winter Flower Show, Winter Light Garden, and Garden Railroad: 200 Years of Pittsburgh exhibits. Plan to see all three! 
 
The most magical time of the year arrives with the opening of Winter Flower Show and Light Garden on Fri., Nov. 25. Built around a whimsical "Snow Day at Phipps" theme, the changing exhibit rooms will feature topiary penguins, bears and reindeer frolicking in showcases of artful LED lights, decorated fir trees, whimsical props, colorful poinsettias, aromatic paperwhites, showy amaryllis and more. From snowball fights and ice skating to cuddly blanket forts, the displays will revive the wonder of a winter's day of childhood play in guests of every age. 
 
Adding to the festive atmosphere, in our Outdoor and Discovery Gardens, our biggest, best Winter Light Garden yet will sparkle with luminous orbs, trees and fountains, as well as a brand new tunnel of lights designed to imitate a twinkling winter sky. Garden Railroad will be on view too, taking you on a trip through 200 marvelous years of Pittsburgh history, brought to life with interactive buttons for children to push, and miniature living plants, shrubs and trees. 
 
Click here for Phipps website for more info
12/12 2016

Snow Angels – Get Or Volunteer To Help Shovel Snow

pdf icon SnowAngels2016Flyer.pdf
pdf icon HAL_Snow_Angel_Program_-_Volunteer_Waiver_and_Release_16.pdf
pdf icon HAL_snow_angels_app_16.pdf

What is Pittsburgh Snow Angels?
Snow covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone. Pittsburgh Snow Angels is a program that helps minimize the hardships of winter by pairing volunteers with elderly or disabled residents to assist with snow removal. 
 
Along with fostering stronger community relationships and relieving some of the stress that comes from a snow storm, Snow Angels makes our sidewalks safer for those who continue to serve despite the winter weather – like postal service workers, firemen, and police officers.  
 
For more information, check out the attached flyer, forms, or visit the website
pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/snowangels/index.html

12/10 2016

PennDOT Autonomous Vehicle Testing Public Meeting

The public is invited to an online public meeting to review the Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force's final testing policy in an online public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. 
 
The public is encouraged to review the policy (PDF) and is welcome to ask questions of the panelists during the online meeting. Email questions to penndotav@pa.gov . 
 
The guidance is the result of months of collaboration among state, federal, and private-industry officials — such as the Federal Highway Administration, AAA, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and General Motors — in the Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force. 
 
To read more about the Public Meeting, click here.  

12/09 2016

Arson At Laundromat On Kennett Sq Nov 22

Pittsburgh Police are looking for a man who set fire to a trash can in a laundry mat in South Oakland last month. 
 
The incident happened around 7:25 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the business located in the 3200 block of Kennett Square. 
 
According to police, the fire spread from the trash can to a laundry tub. The business and apartments above it sustained extensive smoke damage. 
 
Anyone with information on the incident or the suspect’s identity is asked to call Pittsburgh Police at 412-323-7800. 
 
Click here to see KDKA report with video    

12/08 2016

Parkway East Closure Sat 12/10 3am – Mon 12/12 6am

I-376 East (Parkway East) inbound and outbound lanes will be closed to all traffic starting Saturday, December 10, at 3:00 a.m. until Monday, December 12, at 6:00 a.m. 
 
This weekend will mark the final full closure of the Parkway East for the Beechwood Boulevard (Greenfield) Bridge project. Mosites made significant progress during the last closure. This closure is needed to finish tightening all the connections of the steel and complete the installation of metal decking on the new superstructure. 
 
Posted detours will follow the same routes and patterns as previous Parkway East closures that took place during the bridge implosion in December 2015. Signage will be provided to direct motorists. Maps of the official detours are available here: Eastbound Detour Map ; Westbound Detour Map.     
 
Click here to read the full official City press release

12/06 2016

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy December Highlights

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy December 2016 Highlights
  • ​​Schenley Park Volunteer Sweep | December 10
  • Hike With A Naturalist: Leaf Litter Exploration | December 10
  • Frick Environmental Center Discovery: Animal Signs | December 11
  • Citiparks' Skate with Santa | December 11
  • Frick Environmental Center Docent Training | December 12
  • Hike With A Naturalist: Animal Signs | December 17
  • Hike With A Naturalist: Winter Tree ID | December 18
  • Wine and Grapevines: Wreath Making Workshop | December 22
  • Christmas Eve Hike | December 24
Click here to see the full calendar

12/04 2016

Dec 2016 – 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 NEXTPittsburghInlineInline image 1
  • Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps: Nov 25 – Jan 8
  • Hands-on Handmade at Handmade Arcade: December 3 at DL Convention Ctr
  • Krampusnacht at Market Square: December 5
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol Pajama Party at Row House Cinema: December 20
  • Holiday walks with Venture Outdoors: December 1, 17
12/01 2016

Port Authority Fair Changes Begin 1/1/2017

Beginning January 1, 2017, Port Authority will eliminate its two-zone fare system and instate a single-zone system in which all riders will pay $2.50 with a ConnectCard. Riders paying with cash will pay $2.75. 
 
Transfers for riders paying with a ConnectCard will remain $1. There will be no transfers for riders paying with cash; riders paying with cash will need to pay an additional $2.75 for their connecting trip. 
 
Port Authority will eliminate the Downtown free bus zone. 
 
To learn more about additional changes coming, click here.    

11/30 2016

Dec 2016 PWSA Waterline Replacement Project Update(Lothrop/Terrace/Darragh)

pdf icon PWSALTDPUS-11-23-16.pdf

PWSA Waterline Replacement Project Update (Lothrop/Terrace/Darragh) 
 
To view the Project Update Sheet for the Lothrop/Terrace/Darragh Streets Waterline Replacement Project, please click below. 
 
http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/pwsa/PWSALTDPUS-11-23-16.pdf 
 
This information can also be found at www.pgh2o.com under the “Project Info” section of the home page. 
 
The project is approximately 75% complete. The anticipated project completion date is December 2016, weather permitting. Remaining work includes final service tie-ins, hydrant and catch basin installation, and sidewalk & final road restoration.
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

Port Authority Service Request Surveys Due THIS Wed 11/30

The Port Authority is accepting service requests for the 2017 fiscal year through the end of the month. For those of you who want to advocate for improved routes it is important to go to the website and complete the request survey, the link is below. It is a quick and easy survey that only takes a couple minutes. The requests can be made both as a group and as individuals. It is important to spread this information to all your members if there are any requests that you have in mind.  For example, re-implementing the 84B in South Oakland. Advocacy for this route can continue, and if there are any other requests it is important that they be submitted by November 30th. 
 
http://www.portauthority.org/paac/RiderServices/ServiceRequests.aspx    

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.