See you in January.
11/22 2013
Environment/Health
Help support Wounded Warrior Project every time you walk, run, or bike with a free iPhone/Android app called Charity Miles!
Here’s how it works: Every time you exercise, start the app. Your phone’s GPS keeps track of the distance you’ve gone. At the end of your workout, corporate sponsors donate to WWP for every mile you go- 10 cents per mile biked, and 25 cents per mile walked or ran! Help them go for the gold and raise money for programs for Wounded Warriors and their families (without ever opening your wallet!)
Download the app and join Team WWP!
- iPhone app: http://ar.gy/3hom
- Android: http://wwpinc.org/CMAndroid
For more information on Wounded Warrior Project, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit http://woundedwarriorproject.org/
The Green Team is excited to be partnering with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) to restore the Bates St hillside, they have two workdays next week to improve the hillside.
- Wednesday, November 20: from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Meet at the corner of Bates St and the Blvd of the Allies.
- Thursday, November 21: from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Meet at the corner of Bates St and the Blvd of the Allies.
WPC will provide tools and water; you only need to bring you energy and desire to beautify Oakland! They will primarily be preparing/planting native trees on the hillside.
Because of the workday they will not be having the regular Green Team meeting. Keep sending them ideas for volunteer projects to beautify your street, your block, and your Oakland.
10/30 2013
Time: 6PM to 7:30PM Location: East End Food Co-op • 7516 Meade Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208
DEAWP’s (Diagnostic Energy Auditors, Western PA) approach to solving some of the most common but hidden problems underneath our roofs by looking at case studies of three homes in the East End. Free! 6-7.30pm, Nov 6 at the East End Food Co-op • 7516 Meade Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208
- The first case study is a Victorian home that had been plagued with comfort and health issues.
- The second house is a 1950s ranch that was merely a furnace and air conditioning upgrade until the entire house was examined.
- The third project is a 1950s two-story home that began as a health hazard and turned into healthy home.
Find out what happens in a Home Energy Audit
Come find out how to save energy costs in your own home! Energy audit is being conducted at the Brewton home, 232 Robinson Street, on Saturday November 9th. Stop by between 10-12 to learn energy saving tips. Coffee provided!
RSVP to barbarabrewton @ verizon.net. The audit is provided through a partnership with ReEnergize Pittsburgh.
Imagine cheerful daffodils everywhere you look in Oakland!
Oakland Green Team has selected the DAFFODIL as the Oakland Flower, and we have bulbs to sell! They are $1 each or 12 for $10. The particular variety is the “Arkle” a classic yellow trumpet daffodil that blooms in April and stands 18-20 inches tall.
Contact Barb Brewton at barbarabrewton @ verizon.net if you are interested in purchasing bulbs to promote a beautiful springtime in our neighborhood.
Also mark your calendars for our next meeting on November 21, 6pm
10/10 2013
Cancelled due to the COR meeting Thursday October 17.
Next meeting scheduled for Thursday November 21 at 6PM.
The upcoming meeting is next Wednesday, October 16th from 6-7:30PM at the Oakland Career Center at 294 Semple Street. Please find the minutes from the last meeting on the Oakwatch website.
Oakwatch is requesting that when you do call 911 about any Oakland incident, that you please fill out an incident report and send it back. You can email it to oakwatch@opdc.org, fax it to 412.621.5920, or simply mail or drop it off at 235 Atwood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. They have been compiling this data to track enforcement efforts in the neighborhood. They will protect your privacy- they will not share your name, just the data related to the incident. Please share this form far and wide with your neighbors.
Upcoming Oakland Housing Court cases for Thursday October 17th’s hearing at 10am. If you are available that day, the support would be appreciated. If you intend to testify at any of these, please let them know.
All hearings are on Thursday, October 17th starting at 10:00 AM
before Judge Ricciardi
1700 East Carson Street, 3rd Floor
3319 Niagara Street: Continuance
Violations: Overgrown weeds and grass, garbage and debris property
Owner: Bella Pepper
3124 Blvd of Allies: Continuance
Violations: Failure to apply for certificate of occupancy; failure to secure certificate of occupancy
Owner: Ernest Fagnelli
3319 Juliet Street:
Violations: General unsafe structure; incorrect handrails on front entry steps, exterior steps and interior basement steps; incorrect/ insufficient locations of smoke alarms
Owner: Robert V. Torkeo
244 Robinson Street: Continuance
Violations: Overgrown weeds and grass
Owners: Robert G Bell and Alecia Davenport-Bell
10/01 2013
Bikeway CorridorsThe City will no longer take your electronics curbside. Help the planet by disposing with us!
Saturday, October 12, 2013 10am – 2pm, Forbes Tower Lot located at the corner of Atwood and Sennott Streets, behind Forbes Tower.
Bring any of your old electronics, including: TVs, Computers, Laptops, Monitors, Cell Phones, Printers/copiers, Wires/cables, Car batteries
For more information contact: OPDC’s Keep It Clean, Oakland! Manager Josh Litvik (412) 621-7863 x24 or kico@opdc.org
Oct 2013 Recycling Event
09/17 2013
The Oakland Green Team – Next meeting will be on September 19th at 6:00pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple Street. There will be a special presentation from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy on the Bates Street Hill project.
If you’re interested in a free tree for the sidewalk, click here to download the Tree Request form and bring it to the SONG meeting on Wed Sept 4, or give or mail it to David Zwier at 235 Atwood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The deadline to have them as part of this neighborhood grouping is Sunday Sept 15. There will be a site inspection, because not all locations are suitable for trees.
You can also volunteer to help plant and maintain the trees. More info on TreeVitalize Pittsburgh’s website
The old Allegheny Health Department building at 3333 Forbes Ave has been sold and is slated for a new development project. OPDC has been in talks with the developer, they will be coming to the Sept. 9th Central Oakland Community Organization (COCO) meeting to present their plans. Additionally, there will be a presentation on an apartment building development in Central Oakland. The meeting will be held in the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St.
08/20 2013
The PITT’S KIDS program provides instruction in aquatics and physical activity to children ages 3—13 years old. As a developmental program Pitt’s Kids is comprised of two parts: Physical Activity in the gym and Aquatic Instruction in the pool. All children involved participate in a variety of age appropriate activities with a focus on progressive skill instruction. These Sat. mornings offers two
sessions including: 50 min. of physical activity and 50 min. of aquatic instruction, plus a Parent Fitness program for parents of children who participate.
Check out the Brochure or Pitt’s Community Leisure Learning Website for more info.
(still updating this post as links to sources are added and verified)
Oakland Planning & Development Corporation (OPDC) has put together a bag with some useful information about living in Oakland and being a “Good Neighbor”. OPDC is seeking volunteers to commit to specific blocks and days for the door-knocking campaign. Specifically Saturdays August 24 and September 7. They will provide lunch and supplies for volunteers. To get involved, please contact bnino@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 ext. 21.
Pitt will host community block parties on September 11th, 19th, and 26th in Oakcliffe, Central Oakland, North Oakland, respectively. OPDC will publish specific places and times as they confirm details. These parties are free and open to all neighbors.
Included in the bag are:
- Brochure on when to use 9-1-1 vs 3-1-1
- Oakland 2025 Sticker
- “Trash Talk” Magnet
- Trash Pickup Days In Oakland Neighborhoods
- Being A Good Neighbor
- Community Contacts
- Pitt Student Guide To Campus Life 2013
- Emphasizes Pitt’s expectation for all students to represent the university respectfully whether on or off-campus.
- Pittsburgh Refuse/Bulk and Recycling Pickup Schedule
- Local Neighborhood (South Oakland) Flyer
- South Oakland Neighborhood Group (SONG, the website you’re on right now)
- Oakwatch – The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
- The Green Team – Putting the “Oak” back in Oakland
- Important Note about new rules on disposal of TVs and other electronics.
- A map of South Oakland (No, Atwood street is NOT in South Oakland)
- For more info about OPDC
- “Party Right” Flyer
- If you’re gonna party… PARTY RIGHT! …don’t party foul!
- South Oakland Community Day Flyer
Last summer, officials lauded the launch of a new bike trail in Hazelwood as a new step toward revitalizing the struggling neighborhood. On Monday, the trail will close for the same reason.
The closure of the two-mile portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail is supposed to be temporary while earth-moving and grading begins for a $1 billion redevelopment of the former LTV coke works. But it could still take “several months” before another trail — currently linking Hazelwood Avenue with the Hot Metal Bridge — can be built, said Thomas Baxter, executive director of Friends of the Riverfront.