Money/Finance

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.

11/23 2016

Pgh Parking Authority Announces FREE Holiday Parking

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority Announces Free Holiday Parking 
 
1 – FREE Holiday Parking at ALL Parking Authority Garages on the Following Dates:
Friday, November 25, 2016 (Black Friday); And for Five (5) Saturdays: November 26, December 3, 10, 17 and December 24, 2016.
DOWNTOWN:  Third Avenue- Ninth & Penn- Smithfield Liberty- Oliver- Ft. Duquesne & Sixth Street- Wood Allies- Mellon Square Garage- Grant Street Transportation Center- First Avenue Garage and T Station. 
OAKLAND:  Forbes Semple Garage 
SHADYSIDE:  Shadyside Garage              
2 – FREE Parking in ALL Parking Authority Garages and On-Street Meters for "Small Business Saturday" on Saturday, November 26, 2016. 
11/04 2016

Wakefield Townhome Development Proposal

pdf icon 11-01-16-SONG-Meeting.pdf

The first image is of another development at Bakery Square.  The idea for Wakefield St is to be similar offset buildings and recessed garages to minimize their visual impact, but the "look" should be less modern and in context with South Oakland. 
 
Attached are some initial sketches of a proposed development for the current first five lots at Wakefield St and Ward St.   Additionally, the developer notes that based on the existing building on the corner lot "is three stories high, and the first floor is slightly elevated.  Conservatively, I’d say the ridge is at 30’ above grade.  The highest building we have would be 10’ lower at street level, and we are limited to code to 40’."  
 
So "the building height of the highest building would not be any taller than the existing one" and "they would be further to the left, and drop down" further down Wakefield toward the shrine area.
10/25 2016

Get Stuffed With Love Event For Thanksgiving

pdf icon Get-Stuffed-with-Love-Thanksgiving-2016-FINAL.pdf

Join the Rotary Clubs of Bethel-St. Clair and Northern Allegheny, Pittsburgh Police, and Holy Assumption of St. Mary Orthodox Church this Thanksgiving for the annual “Get Stuffed with Love” event. 
 
Help those in need in the community by cooking, assembling, and delivering food to feed the hungry on Thanksgiving Day. This year, we expect to feed approximately 3,500 residents in the City of Pittsburgh. Donations can be made up to Thanksgiving day, but donations are always accepted so even after Thanksgiving it would still go towards the program. 
 
In need of a meal on Thanksgiving? 
Contact your Community Resource Officer in the Zone in which you live.
Zone 4 — 412-422-6559: Officers Shannon Leshen, Tom Pauley & Dave Shifren 
 
Dinner requests should be made by Friday, November 18th so they have an idea on the number of requests in time for preparation and packaging of the meals. 
10/05 2016

National Financial Goal Day Tue 10/11 5:45-7:45 At Oakland Career Ctr

pdf icon 2016-National-Financial-Goal-Day-Flyer.pdf

National Financial Goal Day Tuesday, October 11, 2016 5:45 to 7:45 pm
Squirrel Away Some Acorns!
And save for your financial future. 
Oakland Career Center
294 Semple Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 
  
Join a fall harvest-themed celebration of National Financial Goal Day.
Enjoy a delicious DINNER and DESSERT.
Play some fun financial games and win PRIZES.
Childcare with FUN activities for your children (ages 4-11).
Enter for a big end-of-the-evening RAFFLE and $100 prize! 
 
See attached flyer for more info and to RSVP! 
08/14 2016

Fundraiser For Family House Thu 8/18 At Stack’d Oakland

Thursday, August 18, 2016
Stack’d Burgers & Beers
3716 Forbes Avenue 
 
All Day – 25% of all food & drink proceeds donated 
 
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.  100% of special drink proceeds donated & meet the Pittsburgh Passion women’s football team 
 
The Oakland Business Improvement District and Stack’d Burgers & Beer in Oakland have joined forces to raise funds for Family House of Pittsburgh as part of an all-day event scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2016.
Click here for more info
08/14 2016

Free Small Business Resource Fair – Gov Edition – 9/6 4-7pm City-Cnty Bldg

September 6, 2016
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
6th Floor, City-County Building 
 
The Mayor's Office in partnership with the URA will host a complimentary, government focused, Small Business Resource Fair. The purpose of the event is to offer small business owners in-person access to representatives from all relevant departments within city services (zoning, permits, ADA compliance, etc.). You will have the opportunity to have all of your questions answered ― all in one location. This event would be ideal for small business owners such as restaurateurs, retail owners, contractors, etc. 
 
Click here to register for the event   

07/27 2016

EcoDistrict Focus Group mtg TODAY 7/27th 5pm At The Corner – 200 Robinson St

 Scott Page, a consultant working with the EcoInnovation District in Uptown/West Oakland/ Hill District, is in town this week. 
 
 There will be a focus group meeting to discuss and provide community input for the needs and vision for development plans in the EcoDistrict. This meeting will take place TODAY Wednesday, July 27th 5:00pm at The Corner at 200 Robinson St. Please plan to attend and this is a great opportunity to ask questions and/or express concerns you may have directly to the consultant in charge of this project. 
 
Check out the EcoDistrict website for more info   
http://www.ecoinnovationdistrict.org/ 
 
Check out The Corner's website for more info on them
http://www.cornerpgh.org/