Time is Short, Go Fast, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from TracerBullet999′s photostream

Did you know that the average household spends 20% of its income on transportation? Would you like to participate in the the planning process that will guide transportation decisions and spending in Pittsburgh for the next 25 years? If so, we have a meeting for you.

MOVEPGH is a part of PLANPGH, the City of Pittsburgh’s first-ever comprehensive plan. The goal of MOVEPGH is to “[p]rovide a transportation network that is safe and efficient while meeting the City’s transportation needs.” The City expects the transportation needs of this area to grow because it anticipates a rise in population over the next few decades due, in part, to all of the favorable publicity the City is rightfully receiving. However, with all our great assets, the City has a fixed, established street network — as do most older cities. The plan must accommodate not only the needs of cars and public transit, but walkers and bikers — providing the the kind of wide range of transportation options that attract urban dwellers.

To Northside, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from inorman88′s photostream

The planning process for MOVEPGH is being led by the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. Nine top transportation planning and engineering firms from around the country are participating as consultants. But, they also want and need your input. On Thursday, MOVEPGH will conduct a public kick-off meeting for the transportation plan. Attend and add your voice to the process.

MOVEPGH Public Kickoff Meeting
WHEN: Thursday February 2, 2012, from 6 to 8 PM.
WHERE: Building #3B (Porter Hall) off Frew Street on the Carnegie Mellon University Campus (Oakland). (map)

For additional information, please see the meeting flyer here. If you have special needs for attending this meeting, contact Patrick Roberts at 412-255-2224.

From the stage #79, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from dbwalker’s photostream

Pittsburgh institution, John McIntire, will be hosting three other Pittsburgh institutions this Saturday. The John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Show features local journalists, politicians, comics and celebrities saying the kinds of things you usually only hear off the record, but live on stage. The panelists for January’s show are nationally-known forensic pathologist and loquacious talker Dr. Cyril Wecht, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and syndicated award-winning cartoonist Rob Rogers, and our very own Councilman Bill Peduto!

The theme is Incivility Rules:

Lack of civility! When did we all start hating each other?

You see it on the roads with tailgaters. You see it with people who refuse to stop staring at their I-phones to actually speak. You see it in the over heated political discourse. We can’t stand one another. We’re aggressive. We’re dismissive. We’re condescending. (Or maybe that’s just McIntire).

You can expect a thoroughly irreverent and fun time as John and guests riff on the topic. Also, you get a bonus set of “honest absurdity” from featured comedian Gab Bonesso (named “The Best Comedian in Pittsburgh” by both Pittsburgh Magazine and Pittsburgh City Paper).

John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Show
Presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 10:30 PM
WHERE: The Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (map)
COST: Only $5! *Ticket holders from any earlier show downtown gain free admission (based on seating availability; must show ticket stub for free admission).

More information available here.

57, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from Thomas Hawk’s photostream

Surely, there are hundreds of reasons to want to live in Pittsburgh, but Yinzpiration chose to highlight a nice round number (for Pittsburgh) of 57. Yinzpiration is the brainchild of Kate Stoltzfus, a non-native, who, “[i]nspired by the positive energy of the Steel City,” is interviewing 100 Burghers. She’s nearly halfway there. (You can nominate who “yinzpires” you here.) In the meantime, she’s compiled some of her favorite Pittsburgh tweeps’ reasons for why we love to live in this city.

Some reasons are literary:

Some are boastful:

Some require you to actually be a Burgher to get:

But, many are simply heartfelt:

You can view all 57 here and you can tweet you own reason at #57ReasonsPGH.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from glindsay65′s photostream

The Green Building Alliance (GBA) is one of the first U.S. Green Building Council affiliate organizations in the country and a national pioneer in promoting green building. Created in 1993, this nonprofit strives to drive market demand for both green buildings and green building products, helping Western PA achieve national prominence in LEED-certified buildings. GBA programs include giving project assistance for green buildings including resources for funding, LEED rating systems and green building practices; providing educational opportunities for industry professionals; driving the development of a large-scale database for analyzing sustainable and high performance buildings; promoting the greening of schools, and more. Since 1998, over 6,000 people have attended GBA workshops and training events.

Now, GBA is seeking assistance to help shape the future of green buildings in Western PA. In collaboration with USGBC chapters and affiliates nationwide, GBA is conducting a survey of the community to determine regional priority issues for this area. The survey takes only five minutes and the input will be considered in GBA’s recommendations for LEED 2012 regional priority credits. What issues do you think are most important to this region? Brownfields? Stormwater runoff? Urban sprawl? You can make your voice heard here.

Tree, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from glindsay65′s photostream

Tree Pittsburgh is an environmental non-profit organization. Their mission is to enhance Pittsburgh’s vitality by restoring and protecting our city trees. As part of that mission, Tree Pittsburgh and their partners are currently developing the city’s very first Urban Forest Master Plan — “an initiative that will align the community around a shared vision for protecting, growing and maintaining our urban forest for future generations, creating substantial returns from a singular investment.” Public involvement and input is crucial to the development of the plan. To that end, Tree Pittsburgh is asking Pittsburghers to take a very short survey on their likes and dislikes about urban trees. They need as many Pittsburghers as possible to take the survey by the end of this month. Participants can register to win Giant Eagle gift cards and Tree Pittsburgh T-shirts, tote bags and more!

Pittsburgh’s urban forest is a treasure. It not only delights residents, but is also a revelation to visitors to our city. Moreover, our trees provide numerous practical benefits such as soaking up stormwater runoffs, helping prevent hillside erosion and cleaning our air. Please add your voice to the conversation by taking the survey here.

Snowy tree, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from Sgt. Pepperedjane’s photostream

Sarah Street, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from elston’s photostream

There will be two information sessions held this week on the subject of Allegheny County property reassessments. Elected officials will answer questions about the assessments and the appeals process to help insure that property owners will have all the information that they need.

JCC Information Session of Property Reassessments
WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:00pm until 9:00pm
WHERE: Jewish Community Center, Levinson Hall B, Kauffman Building, 5738 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (map)
WHO: State Representative Dan Frankel, Councilman Corey O’Connor, Councilman Bill Peduto

Information Session on Property Reassessments
WHEN: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:30pm until 8:00pm
WHERE: West Penn Hospital, Wintergarden Auditorium (1st Floor), 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 (map)
WHO: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, State Representative Dom Costa, Councilman Bill Peduto, Bloomfield Citizens Council