News (#Office News) Thoughts from the Office (#Thoughts) District 7 Spotlight (#D7 Spotlight) Upcoming Community Events (#Office News) View this email in your browser (http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=6912dabbf8&e=3e7114c996) Councilwoman Gross and the Women's Caucus of City-Council after the press conference announcing the introduction of the childcare legislation. Childcare Legislation Introduced Councilwoman Gross as part of the Women’s Caucus of City-Council introduced legislation on November 18^th designed to evaluate Pittsburgh’s childcare facilities. The resolution will re-allocate $15,000 to study the city's current facilities as well as providing funds to research areas of improvement. An estimated 65% of children under the age of five live in households with all parents and guardians participating in the workforce. This legislation aims to give attention to these types of statistics and looks to address childcare as an issue at the core of neighborhood and community development. Read more about the legislation here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=84295838d3&e=3e7114c996) and find a more in depth reflection from the Councilwoman in this month’s Thoughts from the Office. ------------------------------------------------------------ Be Prepared this Winter The strong winds and cold temperatures are fast approaching. The city, county, and state offer several modes of assistance to help individuals and families during the upcoming chilly months. For heating assistance we encourage anyone experiencing financial hardship to look into LIHEAP (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=b08d9c7161&e=3e7114c996) , the state operated program designed to help qualifying Pennsylvania residents. We also strongly encourage residents to have a safety plan in place. Please find helpful guidelines provided by the county here. (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=9927cd8c5a&e=3e7114c996) Cold weather also means dangerous road conditions. Please find a resource guide from Just Drive PA (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=064de8f70d&e=3e7114c996) here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=870fa498ef&e=3e7114c996) . Finally, in case you are caught out in the frigid temperatures do not forget that the city’s active living facilities function as warming centers during cold days. Find their locations here. (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=c20c741faa&e=3e7114c996) Be safe and be prepared this winter! ------------------------------------------------------------ Legislation FAQs Councilwoman Gross's office always encourages residents to share their thoughts, opinions, and questions about the work of local government. In hopes of helping promote a better understanding of the work performed by City-Council as well as the legislation and policy being debated, the office will now be routinely releasing a new communication effort. Councilwoman Gross's Legislation FAQs (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=067131a92b&e=3e7114c996) will touch on frequently asked questions regarding pending legislation and future policy. The first release regarding rental registration can be found here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=2b6fa838b8&e=3e7114c996) . Please continue to check our website and social media for new additions. Also, always feel free to make suggestions for future publications. News from the Neighborhoods Public Market: Now Serving Breakfast The Pittsburgh Public Market (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=0b87cac96d&e=3e7114c996) is now open for breakfast Wednesday through Saturday. The change of hours was inspired by new business, Second Breakfast. Read more about the exciting new addition to the market here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=3102e59f33&e=3e7114c996) . Other market staples like La Palapa (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=a4e6b52a90&e=3e7114c996) and Ohio City Pasta (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=07fa97beaf&e=3e7114c996) will be adding breakfast to their menus, too. Also, for the holiday season many businesses will be staying open late on Thursday. Find the complete list of businesses staying open until 7:00 pm here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=3212831186&e=3e7114c996) . ------------------------------------------------------------ Re-imagining an Industrial Site in Lawrenceville Between Willow Street and the Allegheny River sits a 120,000 square foot manufacturing relic. The company was sold in 2010 and is undergoing an envisioning process to better complement the future of the neighborhood. The potential project includes 130 rental units, retail space, and a large public space by preserving one of the bays on the current property. Read more about the project here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=3dd4639893&e=3e7114c996) . ------------------------------------------------------------ A Brighter Highland Park The Urban Redevelopment Authority (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=7c28db9959&e=3e7114c996) recently received a Keystone Communities Grant (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=62624102ee&e=3e7114c996) to improve street lighting in several neighborhoods including Highland Park. Approximately 150 street lights will be added to Highland Avenue. The lights will be used to help spark development. Brighter and better lit areas make neighborhoods more attractive to new businesses and pedestrians as well as providing the opportunity to illuminate the historic presence of the community. Read more about it here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=0e2e465806&e=3e7114c996) . Stay up to date with the Office! http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=3654a45e8e&e=3e7114c996 Facebook (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=546e3832bb&e=3e7114c996) Twitter (http://) http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=05a5a9d924&e=3e7114c996 Website (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=9c41937a1d&e=3e7114c996) Councilwoman Gross with students from Woolslair Elementary School for the Pledge of Allegiance in Council Chambers. Did you Know? People have been making New Year's Resolutions for almost 4,000 years! The tradition began with ancient Babylonians wanting to start the year off on a good note. Improving Child Care This month, I am proud to announce an initiative to improve the availability of quality child care in the City of Pittsburgh spearheaded by the women of City Council. This November, I collaborated with Council members Harris, Smith, and Rudiak on legislation to both assess the business needs of child care facilities and to allocate funds to address those needs to improve the quality of care for children. Earlier this month legislation (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=820e187b90&e=3e7114c996) was unanimously approved by Council to allocate $15,000 to inventory and survey child care facilities in the City of Pittsburgh. This analysis will address existing gaps in Pittsburgh’s child care options by asking child care providers what resources they believe are required to help their facilities succeed, expand, to improve the overall quality of care in Pittsburgh. Today, Council gave final approval (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=c1e65d4011&e=3e7114c996) to re-allocating $250,000 in 2015 Capital Budget funds to create a City Council Community Facilities Fund under the Mayor’s Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment. The funds may be used to seed a loan or grant program to help facilities improve their quality ratings and their quality of care. Promoting widespread access to quality childcare is critical to support working families, create quality jobs, and strengthen neighborhoods. A child care facility may be a micro-business where a single operator takes care of a few kids in her home, or a large facility that cares for dozens of children. By asking these businesses what they need to succeed, and by allocating funds to help them get there, we are taking proactive steps to building stronger communities. Sincerely, Deb More article regarding the legislation can be found here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=6ab976b097&e=3e7114c996) and here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=cf644c042d&e=3e7114c996) . Neighborhood Feature: Diversity & Inclusion in Polish Hill A new neighborhood committee examines residential diversity, the causes of intolerance and conflict, and solutions for harmony. Residents old and new often say that the sense of community is one of the things they love most about Polish Hill. Most people get along with their neighbors; many have forged friendships that cross age groups, religion, or life experience. It's also often said that Polish Hill feels like a small town or a village in the middle of the city. While Polish Hill residents are generally respectful and embracing of others, sometimes, unfortunate incidents that highlight a lack of tolerance do occur. The need for a new neighborhood committee to discuss diversity and inclusion became clear after residents voiced their concerns about harassment related to cultural and lifestyle differences. The goal of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to encourage our increasingly diverse neighborhood to work well together -- respecting, appreciating and valuing our differences in background, race, ethnicity, lifestyle and culture. The committee members hope to not only raise awareness about the benefits of inclusion and diversity and remind folks to get along, but also to set a standard for what kind of neighborhood we want Polish Hill to be. To become involved, or just to learn more, call us at 412.681.1950, or email phca@phcapgh.org (mailto:phca@phcapgh.org) . East End Book Exchange: Bloomfield's Neighborhood Bookstore East End Book Exchange is a secondhand bookstore in Bloomfield. We offer used, rare, and new books, with a special focus on literary fiction and the humanities. We also have an extensive selection of titles from Pittsburgh authors and publishers. Our children’s section is particularly popular with young and old readers! Recent popular titles include Lena Dunham's Not That Kind of Girl, Cheryl Strayed's Wild (soon to be a movie starring Reese Witherspoon), and Margaret Atwood's The Stone Mattress. We're always happy to make recommendations to help you find the right book. November 2014 marks our second anniversary in our Liberty Avenue location. We began in 2011 as a bookstall in the Pittsburgh Public Market. Since moving to a storefront, we have hosted many literary events: poetry readings, book launches, panel discussions. Our 2015 events calendar is already filling up. We want to be your friendly neighborhood bookstore! Location: 4754 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield Phone: 412.224.2847 Email: info@eastendbookexchange.com Facebook: East End Book Exchange (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=7bd3e76e06&e=3e7114c996) Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 11 - 7pm Sunday: 12 - 4pm Mondays: 11 - 7pm (throughout December only) The Global Switchboard, located near Lawrenceville’s Doughboy Square, had its official opening November 1st of this year. As “Pittsburgh's Home for Global Engagement,” The Global Switchboard is a globally-focused coworking space that works to connect similarly minded organizations and to help cultivate new globally-minded ideas and projects. The Global Switchboard currently has 12 members: Amizade Global Service Learning, Global Solutions Pittsburgh, Armada Global, Tom Buell, Building New Hope, Cameroon Football Development Program, Harmony of the Andes, Inclusant, Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation, Rukmini Foundation, Somali-Bantu Community Organization, and Greg and Janet Smith. These individuals and organizations hope to come together to take the input of every group and amplify the collective impact they can have on both Pittsburgh and the globe. The Global Switchboard has partnered with The Sprout Fund to sponsor Community of Practice grants for globally-focused projects in Pittsburgh, working towards the goal of a more global City of Pittsburgh. For more information, check out http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=70de859a89&e=3e7114c996. Lawrenceville Bike-Ped Fundraiser Let's celebrate! The Lawrenceville Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee is having a fundraising holiday party at Franktuary (3810 Butler St.) on Thursday, December 11th from 5-7pm. Enjoy delicious food and drink (eggnog will definitely be in the mix!), check out our vision for a safer, more walkable and bikeable Lawrenceville, win great raffle prizes, and chat with committee members. Funds raised from the event will contribute to an ever needed traffic calming installation at 40th and Davison that will go live shortly after the event. Check out our Facebook event (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=a200c7fa0d&e=3e7114c996) for more details. Looking forward to seeing you there! Community Meetings Lawrenceville Block Watch: People's (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=af5160920e&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/10 Bloomfield Citizens Council (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=cc15a86e3d&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/10 Arsenal and Leslie Park Planning (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=0283b8ec76&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/11 Baum Centre Initiative (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=1868eafcd4&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/16 Lawrenceville Block Watch: 9th Ward (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=e6962735cc&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/16 Public Safety Council Zone 2 (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=400c7e9c73&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/18 Community Events SHNA Happy Hour (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=c7c7a7ab00&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/10 Lawrenceville Safe Streets Fundraiser (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=265f6d9b50&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/11 Neighborhood Flea Market (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=7a6d4a66ad&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/13 Public Safety Meet & Greet (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=c276b63106&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/13 Highland Park Pottery Tour (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=d7ca6edf0d&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/13-12/14 Merry Morningside (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=bf3a9c06b9&e=3e7114c996) ; 12/14 Find a full list of community groups in District 7 here (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=fb0b6b41f3&e=3e7114c996) . ============================================================ Office of Councilwoman Gross 510 City County Building 414 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA ** Subscribe to the Newsletter (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=563a41feba) ** Update Subscription Preferences (http://pittsburghpa.us9.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=602f53494c816285fe55a68a9&id=563a41feba&e=3e7114c996&c=6912dabbf8) Copyright © 2014 All rights reserved. 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