Office of Councilman Patrick Dowd - November 2011 NEWS AND UPDATES Vote "YES" for Our Libraries on November 8 As many of you know first-hand, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is one of our community's most valued and trusted assets. The Carnegie Library helps young people learn and develop literacy skills beyond the school day, seniors continue their life-long learning, job-seekers find resources when they are applying for work or learning new skills. More... <http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/district7/files/monthly_newsletters/Novembe r_2011_Newsletter.pdf> Special Yard Debris Collection City Environmental Services crews will hold a special fall yard debris collection on Saturday, November 12. Properly packaged bagged leaves, tree branches, bushes, and pumpkins will be picked up and recycled for compost. More... <http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/district7/files/monthly_newsletters/Novembe r_2011_Newsletter.pdf> PLEASE NOTE We are pleased to announce that the City has chosen Google Apps for its new email, calendar and contact platform. The transition from our former system will entail changing our email addresses. Our new District 7 email addresses will follow this format: firstname.lastname@pittsburghpa.gov <mailto:firstname.lastname@pittsburghpa.gov> During this time of transition there may be a few bumps in the road. Please feel free to email both of our addresses if you are inclined. Our former address that will be forwarded follows this format: firstname.lastname@city.pittsburgh.pa.us <mailto:firstname.lastname@city.pittsburgh.pa.us> If you do not hear back from us within a few days of writing to our former email addresses or new ones, please do not hesitate to try again or phone us at 412.255.2140. We are eager to hear from you. UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS Council to Go Join Councilman Patrick Dowd at Council to Go, his mobile district office, to voice your concerns, ideas, and questions about local government and services. Polish Hill - Wednesday, November 9, 7pm-8pm - Polish Hill Civic Association, 3060 Brereton Street The Bloomfield and Highland Park Council to Go's will be canceled due to the holiday. Holiday Hours Friday, November 11, Veteran's Day - District 7 Office Closed Thursday, November 24, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday, November 25 -- District 7 Office Closed Community Events Check out Garfield's new Pittsburgh CONNECTS <http://main.pghconnects.org/bloomfield-garfield> center at Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation's Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center at 5321 Penn Avenue. Some of the free and interesting programs they will be offering in November include: * Wednesday, November 2, 10am, Project for Freedom's Job Readiness Training for people with disabilities * Monday, November 7, 3:30pm-5pm, Researching Candidates and Issues Online * Thursday, November 10, 5pm-6pm, Excel Training Class * Tuesday, November 15, 12noon-1pm, Free Computer Repair * Saturday, November 19, 10am-12:30pm, NeighborWorks Foreclosure Prevention Workshop Friday, November 4 - Reblurred <http://pittsburghgalleries.blogspot.com/2011/10/unblurred-is-reblurred- nov-4-2011.html> - 5 Neighborhoods, 1 Event - From intersection of Penn and Highland Avenues to Penn Avenue and 38th Street. Thursday, November 17, 7pm -- Lawrenceville Historical Society Free Lecture - Lawrenceville, McVey Auditorium of Canterbury Place, 310 Fisk Street. Explore the lives of Frances Slocum of Wyoming Valley and Massie Harbison of Allegheny River Valley. Wednesday, November 30, 6pm-8pm - Tree Lighting - Lawrenceville, 47th and Butler Streets If you know of any free community-oriented events in your District 7 neighborhood that we should publicize through our monthly newsletter and District 7 website <mailto:District%207%20website> , please email Jennifer.thoma@city.pittsburgh.pa.us by the 1st of each month. DID YOU KNOW? The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, helps low-income families pay their heating bills. LIHEAP is a grant that offers assistance in the form of a cash grant, sent directly to the utility company, or a crisis grant for households in immediate danger of being without heat. Applications for the 2011-2012 LIHEAP season will be available beginning Nov. 1, 2011. How to Apply: There are three different ways you can apply for LIHEAP--online, on paper, or in person. 1. You can apply for the LIHEAP benefits online by using COMPASS <https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass.web/CMHOM.aspx> . COMPASS is the name of the website where you can apply for LIHEAP and many other services that can help you make ends meet. 2. Download an application for LIHEAP benefits by clicking on the links below (links will be available beginning November 1) and return it to your Allegheny County Assistance Office, or English - Energy Assistance Application <http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap/S_000960> Spanish - Energy Assistance Application <http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap/S_000960> 3. File an application at your local county assistance office <http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/findfacilsandlocs/countyassistanceofficecont actinformation/index.htm> . Allegheny County Assistance Office Headquarters Piatt Place 301 5th Avenue Suite 470 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Phone: 412-565-2146 LIHEAP (Cash Assistance) 412-562-0330 LIHEAP (Crisis Assistance) 800-851-3838 FAX: 412-565-3660 For more information, please contact the Allegheny County Assistance Office or the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886). To unsubscribe from Council District 7 updates, please notify Jennifer Thoma at jennifer.thoma@pittsburghpa.gov and you or your organization will be removed from our contact list. --- JENNIFER THOMA | Administrative and Communications Director Office of Councilman Patrick Dowd | Pittsburgh City Council District 7 City-County Building, Rm. 510 | 414 Grant Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Tel 412.255.2140 | Fax 412.255.2419 jennifer.thoma@pittsburghpa.gov District 7 Schedule of Events Google Calendar <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/> | <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/assets/2008-Newsletter.pdf> 2010 Annual Report <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7/assets/2010-Newsletter.pdf> [pdf]
