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I hate to cast a pall over this magical season, but I think something must be said about the recent decision to allow a police officer with multiple assault charges to continue to work. The PG wrote has been writing a lot about Sergeant Hlavac’s case; you can read the most recent article here. Mayor Ravenstahl [...]

There are literally 100 different events going on around Pittsburgh Thursday night. If you’re interested in finding out what they are, go here. You can even create a customized itinerary to print out and take with you. And if you’re planning on imbibing, take a cab please. You don’t want a DUI and you certainly don’t want to [...]

In the spirit of this glittery season, let me get all sappy on you and say that I’m grateful (once again) to be a current resident and native of Pittsburgh, Pa. And you should be too! An urban planner (who was a resident of Pittsburgh himself, but moved away with his family at a young age) expressed [...]

There is a good article in the PG today written by Diana Nelson Jones about the responsiblity of state and local governments when it comes to abandoned properties. According to a report issued by Sustainable Pittsburgh, blighted and abandoned properties have reached epidemic proportions in Pittsburgh. It’s difficult to even get a real sense of the magnitude of the [...]

Pittsburgh was twice mentioned in the New York Times this month. The first article referenced something old and the second something new. For the first time in a while, I prefer the article that gives a nod to our traditional ways over the article about us being the first among U.S. cities to do something. [...]

The PG is reporting that the Carnegie Library board of trustrees has decided to postpone any library closures until at least next year. Read more here.

Several people e-mailed wanting to know how to go about “buying local” so I rounded up some resources. If anyone else has any suggestions, feel free to post in the comments. To shop online for one-of-a-kind gifts hand made by Pittsburgh artisans: Go to etsy.com. Click ‘Buy’ on the top horizontal menu. Click ‘Shop Local’ [...]

Join the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group Tuesday, Dec 15th as individuals from neighborhoods across the city gather to discuss how they can work together to address safety issues. Safe Neighborhoods is a collaborative network of block watches across Pittsburgh. Sponsored by PCRG, our goal is to bring neighborhood public safety activists together to share strategies, discuss root causes of [...]

Friends of Grandview Park and St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on South Side Slopes are joining together to Christmas Carol at 6 p.m. December 13 in Grandview Park. Included will be tours and caroling of senior citizen’s buildings in the local area. All faith based are welcome to participate. Refreshments served.

People have been wondering why the hilltop neighborhoods haven’t collaborated on community revitalization efforts for some time now. While there were always rumors that this would happen, The South Pittsburgh Reporter  has confirmed that the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation and the Allentown Community Development Corporation are teaming up to spur revitalization in an official capacity. I don’t think [...]