September kicked off in celebratory fashion with the Pittsburgh Labor Day parade! Thanks to all of our brothers and sisters in labor for having us, and for the work you do every day to keep our economy and our region vibrant.
I and my staff visited Mazza Pavilion, the Mt. Washington Senior Center, and Beechview Manor to update seniors on neighborhood projects, citywide issues, and take questions!
My office attended the Brookline Teen Outreach Night at the Races event, which raised money for teen programming in South Pittsburgh. Thanks to Caitlyn McNulty for her incredible work engaging young people in our neighborhoods.
My office also attended the Taste of Beechview event on Broadway Avenue, where we ate delicious cookies from Byte Me bakery and bought fall mums for the front porch.
My office attended the first class of the Citizen's Police Academy at Carrick High School, the Brookline Block Watch, and the Pittsburgh Public Schools' "Look, Listen, and Learn" event at West Liberty Elementary, all on the same Tuesday in September.
Ashleigh and Megan in my office canvassed businesses on Brownsville Road, handing out our District 4 Resource Guide and talking with business owners about their concerns for the neighborhood.
I met with Economic Development South for an update on their work in Carrick, Overbrook, and Mt. Oliver.
My office attended a Penn State Center meeting at St. Catherine's in Beechview, where landscape architecture students gathered ideas and opinions from residents for their class projects.
My staff and I met with the new Zone 6 Police Commander, Commander Vinansky, to learn more about him. We talked extensively about how the City can work to combat heroin and opioid addiction in our communities.
I met with Tiffini Gorman, the City's Early Childhood Manager, to discuss a grant program to help early childhood providers improve their facilities, and opportunities to get more kids in preschool.
I joined Senator Fontana, Representative Deasy, Councilman Ellenbogen and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald for the reopening of the Port Authority Red Line T on Broadway Avenue in Beechview. The track reconstruction project there lasted 6 months, and was completed two days ahead of schedule!
My office attended the Overbrook Community Council meeting, where they discussed challenges with neighbors and wildlife, traffic on Route 51, and more.
I attended a community meeting hosted by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Carrick to unveil the newest draft plans for the new Carrick library. More on that in the article below.
I gave a presentation to a room full of neuroscientists from around the country about the policy challenges and political realities of implementing expanded pre-K and early childhood education programs.
Over the past several years, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has been working its way through renovations at each of the neighborhood branches. Back in 2009, the library came to Carrick and Knoxville with the concept of merging the two branches into one larger branch on Brownsville Road. After much community input, and a years-long search for a piece of property that could accommodate a larger building, Carnegie Library decided to maintain both branches and renovate each separately.
Last winter, the library's architect brought a new plan to the community, which would have renovated and expanded the current Carrick branch at 1811 Brownsville Road. Though much improved, the new design still would not provide the space for different programs and community functions that neighbors desired. The library heard you loud and clear, and went back to the drawing board.
On September 29th, the library held a community meeting at Concord Elementary, where they presented a whole new plan. The library is prepared to acquire a dentistry lab adjacent to the existing library, giving them more space to build a much larger library, in keeping with the wants and needs of the community. Their plan includes distinct spaces for adults, teens, and children, as well as meeting rooms, outdoor patio space, and lots of natural light. The design is intended to be the first "Passivhaus" certified library in North America, meaning it will be exceptionally energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
The library will be honing these plans into buildable blueprints over the next several months, and they expect to begin construction next spring, 2017. We will post plans on our website and Facebook page as they are available.
The wait is over! The Port Authority's 6-month $8.4 million T track reconstruction on Beechview's Broadway Avenue has come to a close, ahead of schedule! Contractors shut down the middle two lanes of Broadway to remove old, cracked concrete and install brand new train tracks that will ensure reliable transportation for many years to come. The section that was replaced had reached the end of its useful life and had experienced 22 failures since 2008. Port Authority notes that the repairs were very costly, and would have continued to cause service outages. Contractors dug down an astounding 20 inches to build a strong base for the concrete, so we can rest assured this work will last. The Port Authority does not anticipate needing repairs of this magnitude for another 30 years.
The Red Line T began running on a regular schedule again on September 25, serving about 12,000 riders a day between the South Hills, Beechview, and the North Shore. The new Red Line schedule is available here:
http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/pdfs/RED.PDF
Brookline and Carrick are both hosting fun Halloween events for kids and parents alike! Be sure to come out to show off your costume and hang out with neighbors.
Carrick Community Council Costume Contest
Phillips Park, Saturday 10/29 at Noon
This event will feature a costume contest, games, and freaky fun. It's free and open to kids 12 and under. Trophies will be awarded for Prettiest, Scariest, Cutest, Most Creative, Most Unique, Best Theme, Most Original, and Best Costume.
Brookline Halloween Parade
Cannon Park on Brookline Blvd, Saturday 10/29 at 2:00 PM
Awards will be presented in 5 categories: 5 and under, Funniest, Scariest, Group, and Pet.
Interested in working in your community? Apply for the Women in Leadership Program with Coro Pittsburgh!
Coro Pittsburgh was founded in 1999 to develop leaders who have a passion to revitalize communities. They envision an inclusive community where people of all backgrounds and circumstances can and do participate in making their communities more livable to everyone. Their mission is to advance ethical leaders and build leadership capacity in order to create this more connected and inclusive community.
The goal of Women in Leadership is to advance new women leaders and support their efforts to raise the status of women in Western Pennsylvania. Coro Pittsburgh is currently seeking nominations and applications for their 12-month, part-time training and networking program. The program begins on November 15, 2016.
Participants in Women in Leadership will:
- Get to know others who are passionate about raising the status of women
- Explore challenges and opportunities facing women in Western Pennsylvania
- Receive mentoring while taking action to raise the status of women
- Learn to build strong teams by leveraging people's strengths
- Hone your skills in group facilitation
- Learn negotiation skills
- Work with a coach to develop and execute your personal leadership development plan
Are you an artist, or are you looking for an artist? The Pittsburgh Artist Registry is the region's only free portfolio site that is open to artists of all mediums and skill levels. The Pittsburgh Artist Registry is a portal for visual, literary, performing, and multi-disciplinary artists in southwestern PA. It is a portfolio site for artists to expand their audience and to promote their work. The registry connects artists with curators, arts venues, and entities seeking to commission work, community organizations, individuals, and businesses. The registry is free to join, and free to use. Visit the registry or sign up here:
http://www.pittsburghartistregistry.org/
On Saturday, October 22 from 11AM to 2PM there will be a Wellness Festival to help immigrants and refugees to live healthier lives. This event will include healthy cooking demos, free flu shots, health screenings and more! This even is supported by Economic Development South and Cricket, in cooperation with BikePGH, CCAC, The Food Bank, LifeSpan, NAMS, SHHC, UPMC and Walgreens. The event will be held at 320 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh 15210.
Are you a business owner in Beechview or Brookline? If so, Zone 6 Police would like to have your emergency contact information on file. Simply call Zone 6 at
412-937-3051 and speak with the desk officer to add the name and phone number of an emergency contact so that police can get in touch if they are called to your business outside of business hours.
On Wednesday, 10/19 Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich will introduce his team, note accomplishments and goals achieved by each Bureau, and share his vision for the future of Public Safety for the City. The topic for the discussion will be Public Safety in the Digital Age. Come out and learn about the various ways technology is used to enhance Public Safety.
- Wednesday, 10/19 at 6PM at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, 10 South 19th Street
- Light Refreshments will be served
- Meeting will start promptly at 6PM
- Street parking is available
- Share comments and photos from the meeting on Twitter by using the #PghCityWide and tag @PghPublicSafety
On Saturday, 10/15 Join neighbors to clean up Seldom Seen Stream! The Saw Mill Run Watershed Association will provide coffee, hot cocoa and bagels for those who arrive early!
Volunteers will be pulling all non-natural debris from the stream and the stream banks. Gloves, safety vests and trash bags are provided. The event will be held rain or shine, so dress for the weather and wear waders or other water-friendly footwear.
Stream cleanups are cancelled only for severe weather such as high winds or torrential rain. Cancellations will be posted to the Saw Mill Run Watershed Association's Facebook page by 8:30 AM on the day of the event.
This cleanup is made possible through the support of The Richard King Mellon Foundation, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, The City of Pittsburgh and Economic Development South.
In November of 2015, the Blight Working Group successfully hosted the first-ever Blight Bootcamp Conference. The event welcomed over 120 residents and organizations across the City and County to learn ways that can improve their neighborhoods by remediating blight. Hosted and supported by the Blight Working Group, the conference is designed to offer residents the opportunity to get involved in their neighborhood's efforts to help get rid of overgrown lots and abandoned structures. Due to the tremendous positive response from last year’s event, we are excited to announce Blight Bootcamp will return on October 7th and 8th, 2016.
Blight Bootcamp will kick off on Friday, October 7th at 3:00 with a community-led service event followed by a pre-conference cookout and celebration. The main conference will take place on Saturday, October 8th, 2016 at the Propel Hazelwood (5401 Glenwood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15207.) The conference registration will begin at 8am with breakfast and lunch provided. The conference will begin at 9am. Cost of attendance is $15 however, scholarships are available upon request. Please visit
lotstolove.org to register or contact Lydia Kramer at
412-361-2099 ext. 4.
"Blight Bootcamp is a great way to engage and educate residents on how they can get involved in reducing blight and making a positive change in their community. Hazelwood is proud to be the host neighborhood for this year's conference" says Sonya Tilghman, Executive Director of the Hazelwood Initiative.
This year’s conference aims to mobilize and equip residents and organizations in the City of Pittsburgh with knowledge and learning opportunities to lead the fight against blight. The Blight Working Group has worked with organizations across the City to create a series of sessions that dive deeper into blight-related issues residents face in their communities. The 2nd annual Blight Bootcamp will focus on three significant areas of blight remediation work: green space projects, building acquisition and improvement, and organization of resident and volunteers in projects. The main conference, taking place on Saturday, October 8th, will be packed with 9 sessions each featuring a wide array of speakers that expand residents’ knowledge and awareness of resources and methods to improving their own neighborhoods.
Funding for this effort was made possible by GTECH Strategies, Neighborhood Allies, Google, Loveland Technologies and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. The Blight Working Group is a consortium of dedicated partners whose mission is to steward opportunities of connection, learning, and resources that support, strengthen, and align assets of community based organizations and residents to combat blight and disinvestment in their communities.
Beechview Area Concerned Citizens and Beechview Block Watch Thursday, 10/6 at 7:00 PM (Beechview United Presbyterian Church, 1621 Broadway Avenue)
Carrick Overbrook Block Watch Monday, 10/10 at 7:00 PM, Concord Elementary School (2350 Brownsville Road)
Brookline Block Watch Tuesday, 10/11 at 7:00 PM, Judge Motznik's Office (736 Brookline Blvd)
Hell on Hills 5K Race Saturday, 10/15 at 9 AM (Coast Avenue, near Canton Avenue)
www.hellonhills.com
Seldom Seen Stream Cleanup Saturday, 10/15 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Meet at the main entrance to Seldom Seen located at the intersection of Route 51 and Woodruff Street, just past the salt dome
Bites and Brews at the Carrick Dairy District Saturday. 10/15 at 6:00 PM (1529 Brownsville Road)
Zone 3 Public Safety Meeting Monday, 10/17 at 6:00 PM, Zone 3 Station (830 East Warrington Ave)
South Pittsburgh Development Corporation Monday, 10/17 at 7:00 PM, Brookline Presbyterian Church (1036 Brookline Blvd)
City Wide Public Safety Meeting Wednesday, 10/19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (10 South 19th Street, South Side)
Lifespan Immigrant and Refugee Wellness Festival Saturday, 10/22 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 320 Brownsville Road)
Overbrook Community Council Tuesday, 10/25 at 7:00 PM, Fairhaven United Methodist Church (2415 Saw Mill Run Blvd)
Carrick Halloween Costume Contest Saturday, 10/29 at noon, Phillips Park Recreation Center (201 Parkfield Street), Register by calling Philips Park
412-885-7445
Brookline Halloween Parade
Saturday, 10/29 at 2:00 PM, meet at the Cannon on Brookline Blvd.
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