The success that East Liberty’s Red Room has seen is being expanded upon with the opening of 2Red, a hip new lounge along with deck space. 2Red is open 7 days a week and offers a comfortable atmosphere to lounge around and have a drink.

2Red, along with the official opening of Richard Chen’s, marks a recent spurt of new cuisine and nightlife in East Liberty.

As summer winds down and we head into fall, enjoy the new scenes in East Liberty! Read more in Pop City.

We’re cleaning up East Liberty’s sidewalks, no ifs, ands, or BUTTS about it!

East Liberty Development Inc. and Keep America Beautiful are working with community organizations and local businesses to help keep our sidewalks free of cigarette litter.

The preliminary scan of East Liberty was completed this Wednesday, counting the thousands of cigarette butts on Penn Avenue’s sidewalks. As the most commonly littered item in America, the unsightly butts cost our businesses money to clean away, clog our already-overflowing storm drains, and harm wildlife in Pittsburgh’s waterways, as they are not biodegradable and will not decompose.

In our effort to eliminate this problem, our anti-litter team is looking for businesses to volunteer to empty cigarette trash cans that will be placed near their buildings. If you’re a smoker, we will be giving away hundreds of pocket ash trays that you can carry with you or put in your car.

For more information or to volunteer to have a cigarette can placed near your business, please call David Greve at 412-361-8061.

Pedal enthusiast have reason to be happy! Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Councilman Patrick Dowd announced yesterday in Enrico’s Tazza D’Oro on Highland Avenue their intentions to be parts of Pittsburgh’s driving force for biker and pedestrian safety and convenience.

This will include putting in more bike lanes, improving signage and links to public transportation, as well as creating benefits for establishments to have bike racks. All of these changes will come easier because the city hired Stephen Patchens, the first full-time bicycle/pedestrian coordinator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

According to bicyclinginfo.org, the personal and societal benefits of bicycling and walking are myriad, ranging from individual health and thrift to community-building and personal empowerment. The environmental benefits are numerous as well, particularly in relation to the prevailing major mode of transportation in the U.S. the private car. Bicycles and walking conserve roadway and residential space; avert the need to build, service, and dispose of autos; and spare users of public space the noise, speed, and intimidation that often characterizes motor vehicle use, particularly in urban areas.

Read about the bike lanes plans in the Post Gazette. Also, watch a video of Patrick Dowd speaking about this biking initiative!

Last Night, residents of Rippey Street and Penn Manor & New Pennley Place enjoyed East Liberty’s second Annual National Night Out by cooking out, pot luck dishes, music and good company!

National Night is intended prevent violence and criminal activity by promoting community connectivity. When residents come out of their homes and meet their neighbors, they build a stronger network for community policing and a safer atmosphere for children to play.

Residents of Penn Manor & New Pennley enjoyed the Doowop sounds of Joni Perri while swarms of children filled Rippey Street for hopscotch and bike riding.

Residents of East Liberty Gardens will be having a belated National Night Out celebration TOMORROW, Thursday, August 7th from 6 to 9 pm, followed by a candle light vigil in the memory of Vincent Terry, who was killed a week ago in the crossfire of a shooting at East Liberty Gardens.

Support National Night Out by leaving your porch lights on to create a brighter, safer street and join the residents of East Liberty Gardens for their celebration of taking positive steps of change.

East Liberty has seen a recent increase in crime over the past few weeks. After the tragic shooting at East Liberty Gardens, it is important that the community take a stand. When residents take action to deter dangerous nightlife, they are reclaiming their streets.

One important step to preventing crime is by knowing one’s neighbors, this can be as simple as socializing on porches at night. Not only does this offer a sense of security associated with visibility, it also sends a message of a unified community. Tuesday, August 5 is National Night Out, an event created and held in cities across the country to bring people out in their neighborhoods at night.

We are encouraging all East Liberty residents to enjoy the night of August 5th from 6 to 10 pm, by participating in the organized block parties on the 5800 block of Rippey Street and New Pennley Place & Penn Manor, as well as community day at East Liberty Gardens on Thursday, August 7th from 6 to 10 pm. These parties will be potluck, so please bring your favorite dish to share.

Also on Thursday, at East Liberty Gardens there will be a Stop the Violence Candle Light Vigil in remembrance of Vincent Terry from 9 to 9:30 pm.