Author: Dave

04/05 2013

PennDOT Invites Volunteers to Join in Statewide Spring Cleaning

OTMA
PennDOT is seeking volunteers for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania effort that runs through May 31.
The cleanup event is an annual effort sponsored by PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, state Department of Environmental Protection and other partners. Groups involved in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup.
“These cleanup programs play a huge role in keeping Pennsylvania beautiful through cleaner roadsides and communities,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. “It’s my hope that more individuals get involved and join the thousands of dedicated volunteers that participate in these efforts year after year.”
Interested individuals can find a listing of cleanup events, resources for organizing a cleanup, and other information about the effort online atwww.gacofpa.org.
Groups interested in adopting a section of highway are encouraged to contact their local PennDOT County Maintenance office and ask for the AAH coordinator, or visit www.dot.state.pa.us.
During last year’s Great American Cleanup, 6.7 million pounds of litter was collected from Pennsylvania’s roads, trails and shorelines by more than 141,000 volunteers. PennDOT’s AAH program contributed nearly 78,000 volunteers who cleaned up nearly 53 percent of the collected litter on 10,960 miles of cleaned up roadway.
This year, cleanup partner Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is hosting its first-ever Great American Cleanup Video Contest. Interested individuals can send a three-to-five-minute video of their cleanup event to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful by May 24, with eventual voting on the group’s Facebook page. For contest rules and information visitwww.gacofpa.org.
Through the AAH program, volunteers collect litter on a two-mile section of state highway four times a year. The program currently has nearly 7,000 participating groups, more than 125,000 volunteers and 15,834 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways.
In addition to the event, during the “Pick it Up PA Days” from April 20 to May 6 registered events have access to free disposal at participating landfills. PennDOT provides gloves, trash bags and safety vests to AAH and Great American Cleanup of PA groups.
04/05 2013

Outbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel Closed April 5-8

PennDOT is announcing the outbound (eastbound) Squirrel Hill Tunnel on the Parkway East (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will be closed this weekend, April 5-8
The closure will occur from 11 p.m. on Friday, April 5, through 6 a.m. on Monday, April 8. Crews will begin work postponed from this past weekend to remove the outbound tunnel ceiling and continue rehabilitation and preservation work on the outbound bridge over Commercial Street.
When overall work is completed, vertical clearance in the eastbound tunnel will increase from 13 feet, 6 inches to 14 feet, 9 inches. Additional, multiple improvement activities will occur in the tunnel as well to maximize productivity during the closure.
Signs will be posted to guide motorists. The posted detour will require eastbound traffic to form a single lane exiting at the Squirrel Hill/Homestead interchange (Exit 74). Significant delays should be expected and alternate routes considered. The inbound (westbound) tunnel will remain open while the outbound tunnel is closed, although short-term inbound traffic stoppages may occur for equipment access and material removal.
To minimize impacts on businesses in Squirrel Hill, which will remain open and accessible, different detours are being used during day and night hours (see attached maps). PennDOT has made improvements at key intersections and police will be posted to keep traffic moving on the posted detour.
Daylight detour (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

  • Exit at Squirrel Hill (Exit 74)
  • Make left onto Forward Avenue
  • Continue taking slight right and stay on Forward Avenue
  • Left onto Beechwood Boulevard
  • Right onto Forbes Avenue
  • Right onto South Braddock Avenue
  • End detour at outbound Parkway East on-ramp
Night detour (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
  • Exit at Squirrel Hill (Exit 74)
  • Make left onto Forward Avenue
  • Continue slight left/straight onto Murray Avenue
  • Right onto Forbes Avenue
  • Right onto South Braddock Avenue
  • End detour at outbound Parkway East on-ramp
 Motorists are reminded to use all open lanes to the single lane merge point on the Parkway East. Please be courteous to other motorists and allow them to merge. The effectiveness of traffic flow entering the detour route is highly dependent on driver behavior. Zipper! Using all lanes and allowing a consistent, courteous merge will reduce congestion and delay and help traffic move off the Parkway East through the detour.
If significant congestion and delay are occurring during the outbound closures, PennDOT suggests the following alternative:
  • From eastbound I-376, take the Forbes Avenue (Exit 72A) to Oakland
  • Continue on Forbes Avenue through Oakland
  • Make left onto South Bellafield Avenue
  • Make right onto Fifth Avenue
  • Continue east on Fifth AvenueMake right onto Penn Avenue (Route 380/8)Continue through Wilkinsburg
  • Access Parkway East in Forest Hills
The following additional closures are planned through the month of April; however it is important to note this schedule is tentative and subject to change based on work progress and other variables:
  • April 19-22, outbound closure
  • April 26-29, outbound closure
Additional closures will be announced in the future as progress is evaluated.
PennDOT reminds motorists the tunnels remain open weekdays with only single lane closures occurring weeknights.
For general information, detour route travel times and traffic cameras, go to www.dot.state.pa.us/district11 and click the Squirrel Hill Tunnel Rehabilitation Project link on the right. The travel time and camera links are in the lower right hand corner along with other detour information. Motorists are advised to visit the website before traveling and plan trips accordingly. (Note: You may need to wait for the screen to refresh to view cameras. Cameras will only be active when detour is in use.)
The $49.5 million project to rehabilitate the Squirrel Hill Tunnel includes updating electrical, lighting, air control and ventilation systems, structural repairs to the walls and arched ceiling, tile repairs, installation of a water line and other improvements. To minimize impacts on the traveling public, rehabilitation work on the bridge that carries the Parkway East over Commercial Street will be performed as part of the tunnel project. Expansion dam on ramps at the Edgewood Swissvale interchange (Exit 77) will also be replaced. Overall work will conclude in early summer 2014.
Visit 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling.
04/05 2013

OAKLAND PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT E-Newsletter Issue 16

 
In This Issue
Bates Street gateway transformation begins
Community celebrates new Oakland Career Center and JoAnn Fountain
School 2 Career provides training to increase number of Pittsburgh Promise ready students
North Oakland to receive new trees this spring
Conflict Kitchen opens new Oakland location
OPDC Board spotlight: Meet Laura Swiss!
Oakland Council Corner
Pitt Kids Summer Camp accepting applications from community members
Upcoming Events
Monthly Community Meetings
Program Links
Join Our Mailing List
Donate
   
Acknowledgments

OPDC is supported by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program with investments from Dollar Bank, PNC Bank, and UPMC Health Plan.
Bates Street Future

Bates Street gateway transformation begins

Did you know that 90,000 cars pass the Bates Street/ Blvd. of the Allies intersection every day? Soon, this highly traveled corridor will become a welcoming, green point of entry for all of Oakland’s residents and visitors. OPDC and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy are seeking volunteers to help kick off this initiative.

Learn more about this catalytic project… 

Community fills Oakland Career Center for Open House and JoAnn Fountain dedication

On March 13th, OPDC welcomed over 80 people to the new Oakland Career Center for a celebratory open house.

Community residents joined OPDC partners and funders to tour the newly renovated space and join in honoring JoAnn Fountain, one of Oakland’s most dedicated community advocates.

 

School 2 Career provides training to increase number of Pittsburgh Promise ready students
ODPC’s School 2 Career (S2C) program is offering free workshops for adults interested in learning more about The Pittsburgh Promise.S2C is providing these workshops to ensure your children or students receive the maximum award possible.

 

Read more… 

North Oakland to receive new trees this spring

This spring, North Oakland will receive 15 new trees, thanks to the efforts of Sterling Land Company and TreeVitalize.

 

 

Read more… 

Conflict Kitchen opens new Oakland location

Conflict Kitchen has relocated to Oakland! Located inside a Schenley Plaza kiosk, Conflict Kitchen is a take-out restaurant that only serves cuisine from countries with which the United States government is in conflict.

 

 Learn more… 

Spotlight on the board: Meet Laura Swiss!

She loves Oakland, has her dream job,
and you’ll never guess where she got engaged…

Oakland Council Corner: An update from District 3
Kraus

OPDC features an update from one of Oakland’s three City Council representatives in each e-newsletter. This edition includes an update from the District 3 office of Councilman Bruce Kraus.

Read the update…

Pitt Kids Summer Camp accepting applications from community members

The University of Pittsburgh will again be offering a campus-based summer camp program year, but in a new format.  This new camp is called Pitt’s Summer Kids Camp and its mission is to offer progressive instruction in both aquatics and physical activities to children ages 3 through 13. Great discounted rates for income-limited families are also available.

Learn more and apply…
04/05 2013

DISTRICT 6 ONLINE TOWN HALL

CityCouncilDistrict6Join Councilman Lavelle on Tuesday, April 9th
Sent 04/05/2013 @ 12:19 pm

Greetings-

This is a reminder for the third online town hall that will take place on Tuesday, April 9th at 7pm. It is an opportunity for all of the constituents of District 6 to ask questions and interact with me online, whether through webcam, phone or via instant messaging. To log on, just follow these instructions:

  1. Go to www.concert-oh.com and select the meeting
  2. Join by clicking the red JOIN button
  3. Select the START A CALL (for PC) option. A passcode/PIN will be provided on the screen when this option is clicked. For those using the DIAL IN (phone) option, a passcode/PIN will also be provided on-screen.
  4. Click on the “Raise Hand” icon to participate in the meeting. The Councilman will place you in “talk mode” when he is ready to take your question.
  5. Scroll over the Councilman’s image and select the Floating option to increase video size.

To view the flyer for this event, please click here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at 412-255-2134.

03/25 2013

City of Pittsburgh New Bike Share Program Public Meetings

The City of Pittsburgh is introducing a bike share program in which users are given a key or code to access a bicycle at parked solar-powered docking stations at any time. The program will include 500 bikes for point-to-point trips across the city.
Passes for the system will range from annual, monthly, three-day and 24-hour. Users can take advantage of an app called Spotcycle to determine if a bike or empty dock is available at a station.
bikeshare
The Pittsburgh Bike Share is expected to cost $3 million dollars and is a result of public-private partnership between the City of Pittsburgh, Bakery Square, BikePGH and Alta Planning and Design.  To date, according to Mayor Ravenstahl’s office, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has provided a $1.6 million dollar grant whicl project organizers are securing a $400,000 match from foundations and $1 million from corporate sponsors.
Two public information-sharing meetings are currently scheduled:
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 – 6 p.m.
Carnegie Mellon University
McKenna-Peter-Wright Rooms
2nd Floor, University Center
5302 Forbes Avenue
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 – 12 Noon
Point Park University
Lawrence Hall Ballroom
201 Wood Street
For more information, visit BikePGH http://bikepgh.org or Pittsburgh Bike Share www.pghbikeshare.org
03/25 2013

The Finishing Trades Institute Of Western PA Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program

CityCouncilDistrict6The Finishing Trades Institute of Western Pennsylvania District Council #57 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program will be accepting applications for apprenticeship in the Painters/Glazers/Drywall Finishers program for the year 2013.

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Prior to final acceptance, a doctor’s certificate of examination may be required.
  • A certified drug test will be required starting the program, at the program’s expense.
  • Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a legal US resident.
  • Applicant must submit a non-refundable process
  • ing fee with the application (money order or certified check in the amount of $20.00).
  • Applicant must have a High School Diploma or GED (submitted with application).
  • Applicant must have a valid driver’s license for the state of residency and have dependable transportation (submitted with application).
Applications can be obtained on the following:
Place: District Council #57 Office, 101 Ewing Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15106
Time: 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 and Thursday, April 25, 2013.
The requirements are:

 

The selection process will be intent to hire. Selection will be made according to the needs within the 32 counties of Western Pennsylvania covered by the Training Program.
For more information, please call the District Council #57 office at 412-276-6061.
03/25 2013

FREE COMMUNITY TICKETS to Quantum Theatre APRIL 4th

Quantum Theatre
Hello!
Quantum Theatre is preparing to open its new show Dream of Autumn very soon. If you are unfamiliar with the company, Quantum has a 23-year history of creating experimental theater in places that are not traditionally theaters. This time, performances will be staged in the former Park Schenley Restaurant at the Royal York, in North Oakland (3955 Bigelow Blvd, at the corner of Bigelow and Dithridge). Before the show officially opens, we invite you to join us for FREE, to attend April 4th’s Community Night Preview Performance. Come early for a pre-show reception at 6:30pm, and meet Quantum staff, Oakland community leaders, and your neighbors. And then stay for the 8pm performance- you’ll be the first to see this beautiful production!

Please CLICK HERE to reserve your complimentary ticket to
Dream of Autumn, Community Night performance on April 4th.

Below you’ll find an easy map to find us and information regarding parking. Please feel free to call with any other questions (412-362-1713) – Stevie and Teresa are happy to assist.

Location & Parking:

The Royal York, in North Oakland
3955 Bigelow Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (on the corner of North Dithridge and Bigelow)
The entrance to the theater is located on the N. Dithridge side of the building- just look for the ‘Q’!

PARKING: Parking is available in the lot across from the theater’s entrance, accessible from N. Dithridge Street. Street parking is also available on both N. Dithridge Street and Bigelow Blvd.

The show’s location is accessible to the handicapped. Please call the office(412.362.1713) to reserve and arrange for handicapped seating and parking.

Can’t make it on April 4th? Performances run through April 28th. Check out the following special events…

  • OPENING NIGHT: Friday, April 5
    Join us for a post-show champagne reception, and mingle with the cast and creative team.
  • POST-SHOW DISCUSSION: Sunday, April 7
    Join the cast and director for a post-show Q&A session.
  • LADIES NIGHT: Wednesday, April 10, 6:30pm
    Join friends and meet new ones at this ladies-only reception and viewing of Dream of Autumn. A pre-show reception will be held at 6:30pm on the rooftop of The Royal York.
  • GRAPENUTS: Thursday, April 11, 6:30pm
    A special pre-show wine tasting.

Click here to purchase tickets.
03/13 2013

COUNCILMAN LAVELLE INTRODUCES “AdultBasic” WILL OF COUNCIL

CityCouncilDistrict6Sent 03/13/2013 @ 5:05 pm

Greetings,

I have been an advocate of low-moderate income communities, supporting education, employment and health care initiatives that open up a path towards self-sustainabililty. In that spirit, and in light of the Commonwealth Court’s recent majority decision ordering the Corbett administration to spend tobacco settlement proceeds on health care programs for the working poor, I introduced on March 12 a Will of Council urging the Governor to respect the Court’s decision by refunding the adultBasic program or other similar health care program. Click here to view the document.

Health care costs are on the rise, with medical bankruptcies one of the principal causes of bankruptcy in the US. Now is not the time to be cutting these services to our populations in need.  The intent of the Will of Council is to serve as a strong signal to the Corbett administration to respect the Court’s decision and to reinstate a health program that provides affordable healtch care to Pennsylvanians that do not receive insurance from their employers, earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, or are too young to receive Medicare.

Sincerely,

R. Daniel Lavelle

03/13 2013

Port Authority announcing March 16, 2013 Transit Service Changes

OTMAlogoBelow of the highlights of the March 16 transit service changes that pertain to Oakland.
52L HOMEVILLE LIMITED – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Trip time changes.
53L HOMESTEAD PARK FLYER – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Some off-peak trips will enter the Waterfront. New 830am weekday outbound trip.
61A EDGEWOOD/WILKINSBURG VIA FORBES AVENUE – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
61B BRADDOCK-SWISSVALE – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
61C McKEESPORT-HOMESTEAD – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
61D MURRAY – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
65 SQUIRREL HILL – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Trip time changes.
67 MONROEVILLE – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Trip time changes. Four new weekday morning inbound short trips between Wilkinsburg, Oakland and Downtown.  Three new weekday outbound short trips between Downtown, Oakland and Wilkinsburg.
Short trips operate between Downtown and Hay Street/Sawyer Way in Wilkinsburg.
Outbound short trips will be signed “67 WILKINS AVENUE-POINT BREEZE, flash “67 TO WILKINSBURG-SAWYER WAY” to avoid confusion with trips operate through to Monroeville
.Two new Saturday and Sunday morning inbound short trips will operate between Wilkinsburg, Oakland and Downtown.
69 TRAFFORD – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Trip time changes.
71A NEGLEY – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
71B HIGHLAND PARK – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Revised running times DO NOT reflect the additional travel time associated with the S Highland Avenue Bridge closure.  Expect some delay.
71C POINT BREEZE – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
71D HAMILTON – Revised running times. Departure time changes.
77 PENN HILLS (Baum Boulevard, North Oakland) – Revised running times. Departure time changes. Trip time changes.
For more information please contact Port Authority of Allegheny County customer service at 412-442-2000. TTY (hearing and speech-impaired) 412-231-7007 or visit www.PortAuthority.org
03/13 2013

MARCH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER

CityCouncilDistrict6

Are you currently looking for employment?

Sent 03/13/2013 @ 11:27 am

Greetings,

The bedrock of a sustainable community is an economically stable community.  Since being elected, our office has taken a proactive approach towards helping our constituency find employment opportunities.  Please click here for a few employment opportunities that are currently available throughout the City of Pittsburgh.
The District 6 office will hosting the “Pittsburgh JobStart Employment and Resource Fair” in the Spring. Be on the look out as more information will be relesed in the next few weeks.  If you would like to volunteer or participate to be a featured sponsor at our upcoming employment/resource fair, please give our office a call at 412-255-2134.
Regards,
R. Daniel Lavelle