Environment/Health

03/24 2016

Uptown/West Oakland Eco-Innnovation Dist Open House #2, Wed 3/30 6-9pm at 300 Gist St

Last month the City, Uptown Partners, Oakland Planning & Development Corp., and neighbors had a hugely successful OPEN HOUSE to kick off the Uptown/West Oakland EcoInnovation District planning process! This event signaled the start of robust community engagement to create the City’s most sustainable and equitable district plan.

If you missed it, there will be another chance to share your thoughts about the neighborhood!
Public Open House #2 will be
Wednesday, March 30th, 6-9 pm at 300 Gist Street
See the attached flyer for more info or visit the main website at ecoinnovationdistrict.org

pdf icon EID_flyer_033016.pdf

03/08 2016

Construction Junction Offering Free Deconstruction Service

CONSTRUCTION JUNCTION OFFERING FREE DECONSTRUCTION SERVICE

Construction Junction (CJ) has a licensed and insured Deconstruction Department that can save you money. Feed your inner ”need to be green” on your next residential or commercial renovation. Just purchased a “new-to-you” home or commercial property? Then take advantage of CJ’s FREE deconstruction service to pull out useable building materials before you move in or start a major renovation.  CJ will gladly do a walk-through and coordinate with you to remove usable items from your unoccupied property. Many of their deconstruction services are free of charge, and they make it easy for you from planning to completion.

Their experienced, fully-insured deconstruction staff will come out to remove salvageable materials such as lumber, trim, fixtures, doors, windows, cabinets – anything that can be reused instead of going to a landfill. You’ll save on disposal costs, it’s better for our environment, and it provides job training opportunities for our partnerships with Goodwill and the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh. Your donation is fully tax deductible, and they’ll give you a receipt for the items you donate.
02/25 2016

Mar 2016 – Oakwatch Mtg 3/16 Noon, Green Team Mtg 3/17 6pm

Oakwatch : The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
Third Wednesdays
​March​ 1​6​,​ 12pm at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, located at 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
They ask you to please RSVP.​
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Oakwatch webpage

Green Team : Putting the “oak” back in Oakland
Third Thursdays
​March 17, 6pm, Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Green Team webpage

02/23 2016

EEFC Three Season Gardening Workshop – Thu 3/31 7pm

Garden Dreams invites you to learn how to successfully optimize your growing space from spring through fall. They'll discuss what to grow when, pest management, season extension, succession planting, plant hardiness, and so much more!
 
Hannah Reiff & Danielle Marvit, Garden Dreams 
Thursday, March 31st, 7 PM 
POWER/EEFC Conference Room
Click here for more info on East End Food Co-op Events
02/23 2016

EEFC Shopping On A Budget Workshop – Thu 3/17 7pm

Maintaining a healthy diet doesn't have to break the bank! This presentation will detail several ways to stretch your grocery budget, and there will be plenty of time for discussion so attendees can swap tips and tricks of their own as well.
 
Patrick McHale, EEFC Promotions & Merchandising Coordinator
Thursday, March 17th, 7 PM 
POWER/EEFC Conference Room
Click here for more info on EEFC Events
02/05 2016

Campus Advantage Forbes Ave New Plans Including Arby’s Lot

pdf icon Forbes-Ave.-Apartments-Planning-Commission-02.03.2016.pdf

Inline image 2
Attached are the latest designs for the Campus Advantage project on Forbes Avenue. The developer presented these designs at the Public meeting on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
The new designs have a significantly larger footprint for the building because they include the neighboring lot (Arby’s). The designs also show a lower building height than the original drawings.
Please review the attached designs and provide any feedback, concerns, or questions you have. OPDC intends to sit down with the developers prior to their Planning Commission briefing.
  • Planning Commission briefing: Tuesday, February 23
  • Planning Commission hearing: Tuesday, March 8.
01/28 2016

Sign Up For Grassroots Green Homes Energy Saving Challenge

Inline image 1

pdf icon GGH-Flyer-1.21.16.pdf

SAVE ENERGY​,  SAVE MONEY

This spring 500 Households in Uptown and Oakland will receive free energy-saving tools and tips through participation in a one-year energy saving challenge.

Participate in the Energy Efficiency Challenge

Sign up to receive 12 free DIY energy efficiency tools for participation in a 12-month energy efficiency challenge. You will get information and guidance from your own neighbors on ways to lower your energy bills.​​

Apply for Home Weatherization Plus Services

30 single-family, owner-occupied homes will be selected to receive an initial energy audit, weatherization services (like air sealing and insulation), and any repairs determined necessary by the audit team.

Get Involved: Be an Energy Coach

Energy Coaches will attend free training and planning sessions to help roll out the program to these neighborhoods, organize distribution of tips and tools, and gather feedback from participants.

​Check the attached flyer for more info.

01/25 2016

Feb 2016 – Oakwatch Mtg 2/17 6pm, Green Team Mtg 2/18 6pm

Oakwatch : The Oakland Code Enforcement Project
Third Wednesdays
February 17, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Oakwatch webpage
Green Team : Putting the “oak” back in Oakland
Third Thursdays
February 18, 6pm, Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple St, Pgh, PA 15213.
Southwestern PA Commission is scheduled to present their road safety audit of Bellefield Ave.
Check the webpage for further details and any last minute changes.
Green Team webpage
01/25 2016

Snow Angels – Volunteers Needed For Snow Removal

The Snow Angels ​​program matches neighbors with neighbors to shovel the walks of those who are unable to do this on their own. Volunteers impact lives in our community by ensuring our more vulnerable neighbors continue to have access to essential services such as home-delivered meals and medications during the harsh winter months.
Click here for for more info on the program
01/15 2016

Community Info Mtg – Wed 2/3 6pm Oakland Career Ctr

Inline image 1On Wednesday, February 3, OPDC is convening a community-wide meeting at 6pm at the Oakland Career Center for residents to discuss the many proposed developments in Oakland with City of Pittsburgh representatives. The agenda will include the Oakland Gateway Venture Project at Bates and the Blvd of the Allies, the potential redevelopment of the Jewish Federation’s property on McKee Place, and the expanded Campus Advantage Project on Forbes Avenue. Please share the flyer with friends and neighbors. It is located here:  http://www.opdc.org/plan-partner/development-in-oakland-a-community-wide-meeting-on-february-3/

01/14 2016

CIty Offices Closed, Refuse Collection Postponed For MLK Jr Holiday Mon 1/18

The City of Pittsburgh offices will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2016 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
 
Refuse
 
Refuse, bulk waste and recycling collection will not take place on Monday, January 18, 2016. The Department of Public Works has released the following schedule for the week.  For example:
 
If your scheduled day of collection is Monday, January 18, you will be serviced on Tuesday, January 19.  If your collection day is Tuesday, January 19, you will be serviced on Wednesday, January 20. 
…and so on.
Citiparks
Several Citiparks facilities will adjust operating schedules on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Closed Facilities:
  • Citiparks' 10 recreation centers and 14 Healthy Active Living centers for seniors
  • Oliver Bath House indoor swimming pool
Open Facilities:
  • Mellon Park Tennis Center (regular operating hours)
  • Schenley Park Skating Rink (Sessions: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 4 – 6:30 p.m.)
01/10 2016

Drink For Pink 2016 – Thu 2/25, 5-7pm

All Proceeds Benefit Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh
 
Thursday, February 25, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m
Oakland Location: Peter’s Pub (116 Oakland Ave)
 
 
The Oakland Business Improvement District and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership with sponsorship from Dollar Bank, have joined forces to raise funds for Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh by simultaneously hosting Drink for Pink events. 
 
Both locations will include Pittsburgh celebrity bartenders –  a unique twist on the Drink for Pink theme. We'd love to see you there! Last year, we raised over $7,000! All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh.
 
Click here for more information
01/10 2016

Oakland Restaurant Week 1/18 6 Days, $6 Lunches

Spend Smart while Eating Great!
A record of 22 restaurants have teamed up to provide $6 lunches for six days, allowing you to save on lunch without compromising taste. Take advantage of this deal, and you can also enter to win FREE LUNCH FOR A MONTH along with other great prizes from participating Oakland retail businesses.
 
Enjoy a Meatless Monday option thanks to the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants Program — the Oakland Business Improvement District’s way of helping to reduce the impact on the environment.
 
This event is funded by the Oakland Business Improvement District with additional support provided by Sustainable Pittsburgh
 
Click here to see January lineup.
01/09 2016

“Just Eat It” Documentary On Food Waste – Sat 2/13 6pm

Just Eat It explores the topic of why we throw nearly 50% of all food into the trash. Join us to view this documentary, which brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organizations, and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is both educational and entertaining. Snacks will be provided, and there will be plenty of time for conversation.
​
EEFC & 412 Food Rescue
Saturday, February 13th, 6 PM
Repair the World: Pittsburgh
6022 Broad Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (click for map)
This event is FREE, and RSVPs are not required!