Starting tomorrow, March 1, the Department of Public Works will restore the sidewalk clearing ordinance. Inspectors will issue warnings first, followed by citations. Residents are reminded to avoid shoveling snow into the streets. The Mayor encourages young people to help their elderly neighbors in clearing sidewalks and reminds residents to stay safe.

“In this weather, everything is harder to do and much more dangerous,” Ravenstahl said. “I urge our young people to get out there and help your elderly neighbors. Often times, our seniors are our most conscientious residents, and we must pitch in to help them clear sidewalks.”

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American Discount Uniform will hold a sale at West Penn Hospital tomorrow, March 1 in the Liberty Room, and March 2 in the Allegheny Room. Health care employees in need of uniforms, shoes, and accessories will find terrific savings, and those employed by West Penn can select payroll deduction. Cash, check, credit, and debit cards are all welcome.

For more information, call American Discount Uniform at 724-339-5177.

City life is sometimes frustrating. Traffic jams, potholes, limited parking, and more recently, unplowed snowy streets are just a few stressors of the city. Have you ever wanted to report or complain about something, but were not sure who exactly to contact? Well, Pittsburgh now has a couple of solutions to this problem. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl introduced the 311 non-emergency line in October 2006, and has since expanded its operations in times of need, like our recent snow storms.

Anyone living in the city can simply dial 3-1-1 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and reach a live service representative who can assist you with anything from the phone number of a city department to reporting potholes, broken streetlights, or any other neighborhood nuisance. If you live outside of Pittsburgh or have an out-of-town area code, you can still reach the line at 412-255-2621. You may also fill out a 311 Form online or get more information on the 311 line or other city departments on the mayor’s website.

In addition to the non-emergency line, Pittsburghers with an iPhone can now download the new application iBurgh, which allows users to snap a pic of any neighborhood eyesore, attach a note, and then send it to 311 operators. City councilman Bill Peduto described it as “the first mobile application for city government,” wrote Joseph L. Flatley of Engadget in his article “iBurgh complaint department for iPhone gets to the heart of city living”.

Both the 311 line and iBurgh make it quicker and easier than ever before for residents to access city services. These customer-service focused means of reaching our local government will hopefully mean faster and more efficient resolution of the city’s numerous little annoyances.

With yet another mention in the press, Stagioni now seems to be a necessary stop for local food columnists. Alice T. Carter of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review made a recent trip to the relative newcomer to Bloomfield Italian-American cuisine.

In her article “Stagioni in Bloomfield: A meal in progress”, Carter wrote “It’s the sort of place you go when you want to eat something that’s interesting and thoughtfully prepared and don’t have the patience or energy to do it yourself.” She added that it is tiny, but inviting, and agreed with other critics that the lack of space and excess of hard surfaces makes it “a bit noisy when the narrow room is at capacity. But it’s still possible to hold a conversation without raising your voice or being distracted by the one at an adjoining table.”

Congratulations to Lynn Rosen, the winner of the $800.00 prize in the Valentine’s Day Raffle.

Merante Gifts is starting a series of “tasting events” today. Guests are invited to try and give their opinion on new recipes that have been in development for the past few months before they are introduced into the cooking class schedules.

At least fifteen new appetizers and antipasti will be featured as well as sampling of a new wine label from Walnut Grove Wineries. Red and white wine will pair well with the fare and also be available for purchase.

Because of limited space, the guest list is limited and will fill up quickly, so contact Maria Merante as soon as possible to reserve your spot. The cost is $20 per person and will include generous tastings of the new items.

If you would like to join them, call 412-682-3370 or e-mail Maria.

Meet Councilman Patrick Dowd this Monday at Council to Go, his mobile district office. Councilman Dowd and his staff will once again be available to hear the concerns of residents, business owners and employees, as well as provide news on issues in City Council and help you access city services.  This session will be held Monday, Feb. 8 from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Bloomfield Crazy Mocha.

For more information about Council to Go and Councilman Dowd, visit the District 7 website or read our previous posts on Council to Go.

To help promote the event, download a printable PDF flyer.

Monday, February 8, 2010
5:30–7 PM

Bloomfield Crazy Mocha
4525 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Bloomfield Events Calendar

Dear Residents,

In 2009, our most livable City of Pittsburgh saw 40 percent fewer homicides than in 2008. While crime has not been eliminated, we are making great gains in protecting our City’s streets and neighborhoods.

Over the past few years, we have implemented public safety initiatives that complement the solid police work of our local law enforcement. However, the safety of our streets cannot be achieved by the work of the Police Bureau alone. It takes the collaboration of City residents such as yourselves — business owners, students, parents, engaged community members — to commit to working with law enforcement to develop preventative, proactive approaches that will lead to real gains in public safety.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is dedicated to working with neighborhood residents, schools and businesses to identify community problems and concerns, and help solve them. Each police zone has a Community Policing Officer dedicated to working in collaboration with neighborhoods.

What is a Community Policing Officer (CPO)? Every police zone has a single officer, the CPO, who is assigned to answer calls in the area, attend community meetings to help identify and strategize around community issues, and work with residents to develop crime-reducing strategies. You can play a critical role in ensuring your and your neighbor’s safety by engaging with community-oriented policing strategies.

How do you do that? One way is to attend your Zone Public Safety Council meetings, where your CPO reports on crime trends and incidents in the Zone. Another is to call your CPO to discuss what is happening on your block and what you can do to make a difference.

You can work with your CPO to start a Block or Neighborhood Watch to stop crime before it happens. Block Watches keep community members aware of the current crime happenings on your street and provide an avenue to get to know your neighbors while developing crime problem solving strategies.

I encourage you to reach out to your local Community Policing Officer and get involved in protecting the safety of your community.

Zone 1: Officer Forrest Hodges (412) 323-7201
Zone 2: Officer Janine Davis (412) 255-2827
Zone 3: Officer Christine Luffey (412) 488-8326
Zone 4: Officer Matthew White (412) 422-6520
Zone 5: Officer Michael Gay (412) 665-3605
Zone 6: Officer Kenneth Stevwing (412) 937-3051

If you do not know which is your local police zone, check out http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/police/html/police_zones_map.html for more information.

Sincerely,

Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh