There’s free assistance available to help you with questions or complaints related to the UPMC-Highmark split.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has launched a toll-free helpline – 1-844-743-2015 – with staff to help consumers understand their rights and cut through confusion they have about their plans. In addition, the staff may contact UPMC or Highmark on behalf of consumers who have a conflict with either company.

If you use the hotline, please be prepared to provide:

• Basic information about yourself;
• As much detail as possible about the conflict with UPMC or Highmark;
• Any correspondence you may have received from either company; and 
• Insurance coverage information because of the variety of plans that exist.   

Call process times will vary. The helpline will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you call the helpline outside of normal business hours, on the weekend or when specialists are assisting other consumers, you may leave a message. Calls will be returned in the order in which they were received.

Before a complaint is processed, consumers will receive a confirmation email or letter with a summary of their complaint, as well as release forms.

For more information about the UPMC/Highmark transition plan, you may visit www.stayinformed.pa.gov.

Mayor William Peduto sent 36 nominations for seats on City boards, commissions and authorities to Pittsburgh City Council today.

The nominations will be officially introduced at the regular meeting of council Tuesday. Some, but not all, will be subject to council interviews and votes.

PennDOT District 11 is announcing work platform installation under the Birmingham Bridge (Route 2085) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will continue Monday night, March 23, weather permitting.

 

Single-lane closures and intermittent rolling stoppages of 5 minutes or less will occur on eastbound (outbound) I-376 (Parkway East) under the Birmingham Bridge weeknights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday night, March 27.

For more Coop info goto:

Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30 PM

Cold Weather Vegetables and Herbs

Bob Madden, Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery

Carnegie Library of Homewood

Spring is officially here! It’s time to get out and garden. Bob Madden of Garden Dreams will arm you with all of the information you’ll need to start your garden with confidence—no prior experience required! It may be chilly out, but these colder spring months are a great time to grow hardy vegetable and herb varieties. This workshop will introduce methods of season extension to help you time your planting efforts to yield the largest and healthiest possible yield.

This event is FREE; just call 412-242-3598

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Wednesday, April 8th, 6:30 PM

Getting to Know Garden Herbs

Bob Madden, Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery

Carnegie Library of Homewood

Add some excitement to your gardening—and cooking—repertoire this season with fresh herbs! Join Bob Madden of Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery for the second installment of his three-part springtime gardening workshop and get to know garden herbs. We will learn how to plant, maintain, and harvest several popular herb varieties and will discuss some basic troubleshooting techniques. Most herbs grow happily in pots and window boxes, so don’t let the lack of a garden bed keep you from joining in the fun!

This event is FREE; just call 412-242-3598 to reserve your spot!

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Saturday, April 11th, 2 PM

Hunger & Poverty Simulation

Katy Millins and Julie Rusin, Pitt FeelGood

Carnegie Library of Homewood

What does hunger look like? How do global poverty and food insecurity perpetuate one another? What can we do to end hunger and poverty in our lifetime? The University of Pittsburgh’s chapter of the national FeelGood organization is committed to finding answers to these questions and wants you to join in the conversation. Julie Rusin and Katy Millins will facilitate an interactive simulation to help illuminate the systemic causes of global hunger and poverty and start a dialogue about the need for sustainable development.

This event is FREE; just call 412-242-3598 to reserve your spot!

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Wednesday, April 15th, 6:30 PM

Illegal Dumping: Pittsburgh’s Dirty Little Secret

Myrna Newman, Allegheny CleanWays

Carnegie Library of Homewood

Pittsburgh has been named the Most Livable City six times since 2000. We also pride ourselves on being one of the greenest cities. There is another side of Pittsburgh that we don’t talk much about—the pockets of blight scattered throughout the hillsides and along our lovely rivers. Myrna Newman will discuss a particular type of blight: illegal dumping. Join us to learn about the environmental, social, economic, and health costs associated with illegal dumping and how you can help Allegheny CleanWays reverse the damage.

This event is FREE; just call 412-242-3598 to reserve your spot!

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Wednesday, April 22nd 6:30 PM

Intro to Organic Gardening

Bob Madden, Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery

Carnegie Library of Homewood

Calling all beginner and budding gardeners: would you like to have a bounty of fresh and healthy produce at your doorstep this summer? This workshop will cover all the basic skills and methods you need to know to start digging in. Experienced urban farmer and garden educator Bob Madden will discuss layout, soil management, planting, watering, weeding, and of course, growing and harvesting some of your favorite veggies. Bob will answer your questions about gardening, and help you prepare to get growing.

This event is FREE; just call 412-242-3598 to reserve your spot!

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Wednesday, April 29th, 7:00 PM

Cookbook Club

East End Food Co-op

Café Seating Area

Do you spend hours perusing the cookbook section of your library, scrolling endlessly through food-centric Pinterest boards, and collecting recipes from friends and family? You are not alone! Connect with other local food lovers as we dive into some of our favorite cookbooks. Our Co-op welcomes gourmands and novice cooks alike to join us for the inaugural meeting of our Cookbook Club. We will brainstorm how the club should work and share homemade snacks, potluck style. Bring your ideas and a dish (along with a list of its ingredients) to share!

This event is FREE, but reservations are required. Call 412-242-3598 to reserve your spot!

Notice Of Community Meeting

Wednesday March 18, 6:30pm at Central Catholic Library

Central Catholic High School is planning on constructing a new S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Building expansion to its 4720 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA campus.

You are cordially invited to attend this community meeting.

Community groups, school representatives, City of Pittsburgh District 8 representatives and planners will be present to answer your questions.

SCHEDULE CHANGE: Birmingham Bridge Preservation begins New Phase Monday Morning in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the next phase of work on the Birmingham Bridge Complex Preservation Project in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will begin Monday morning, March 16 weather permitting. (Originally the phase change was set to begin Friday night).

Beginning at 5 a.m. Monday morning, the northbound side of the Birmingham Bridge will close to traffic to begin preservation work.  All northbound traffic will be shifted into the southbound lanes.  The new configuration will consist of one 12 foot wide northbound lane, two 11 foot wide southbound lanes and a bicycle lane.  Additionally, all pedestrians will use the southbound sidewalk.

Mayor William Peduto announced the 15 organizations that will receive funding for the eighth round of the Love Your Block (LYB) grant program, a servePGH initiative. Through the block revitalization program, in partnership with The Home Depot, Peoples Gas and PNC, the City awards $1,000 to purchase supplies and tools to implement a block improvement project that mobilizes community volunteers to transform blighted lots into community assets. Additionally, a special $2,000 prize will be given to the organization that carries out the most successful block transformation, according to identified criteria. Spring project implementation will take place from April 25 to June 30, 2015.

If you have an idea for a Love Your Block Grant project for our community, let us know.

• Bloomfield Development Corporation
• St Paul AME Church
• Mt Washington Community Development Corporation
• White Lily Baptist Church
• Hill House Association
• Polish Hill Civic Association
• Hazelwood Initiative
• South Side Community Council of Pittsburgh
• Beechview Business District Revitalization Project
• Penn State Extension Center
• Monticello Street Hospitality House
• Soldiers & Sailors Museum
• Larimer Green Team
• Spring Hill Civic League
• Perry Hilltop Citizens Council