TOMORROW, Saturday, April 19 from 9 am to 12 pm will be the East Liberty Litter Sweep! Join East Liberty residents and volunteers to clean up our community.

The Litter Sweep will begin in the Home Depot parking lot and equipment and refreshments will be provided. After the clean up, volunteers will enjoy a party including food, local vendors, live local music and entertainment!

This project is coordinated by Allegheny CleanWays, in conjunction with the Great PA Cleanup and other partners in a effort to prevent and eliminate litter and illegal dumping. Do your part to make this community as beautiful and healthy as possible!!

Friendship Development Executive Director, Jeffrey Dorsey, speaks at the groundbreaking in front of Rob Stephany, URA Executive Director, Emma Lucas-Darby LCCC board and professor from Carlow University, Charlie Batch, LCCC board member and Steeler, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Howard Slaughter, Executive Director of LCCC.

Yesterday, Wednesday, April 16, Friendship Development Associates, Landmark Community Capital Corporation, the URA and many other partners celebrated the groundbreaking for 5000 Penn, three townhomes nine years in the planning. This $800,000 development, on the corner of Penn Avenue and Gross Street, will bring loft-style housing to the heart of the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative.

For more information on the groundbreaking, read the post gazette article, or what Pop City has to say!

TOMORROW, Saturday, April 12 from 11 am to 6 pm, the Center for Minority Health and the Healthy Black Families Program will hold their annual Minority Health Fair at the Kingsley Center, located at the corner of East Liberty Blvd and Frankstown Ave.

Service providers will offer free health screenings, immunizations, blood pressure tests and, for the first time at this fair, teeth cleanings! Don’t pass up this opportunity to utilize important, free health care facilities!

TONIGHT! Monday, April 7 from 6:30 to 8 pm will be second community meeting in a series at the Union Project about East Liberty residential and upcoming development, homeownership resources and neighborhood discussion.

Tonight, get the resources and ask the questions to learn best practices for buying and maintaining a home, as well as avoiding or dealing with foreclosure issues.

Next Monday, April 14, discuss Section 8, project based and low income housing options in the neighborhood.

If you have any questions, contact Hilary Brown at 412.363.4550 ext. 26.

On this day, 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

The evening before, he delivered his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech and in the last ominous paragraph he addresses the likelihood of his end.

“Well, I don’t know what will happen now; we’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life-longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And so I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything; I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

Local resident who knew Dr. King remark in the Chattanooga Times.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important, inspiring people of the Twentieth Century and the father of the Civil Rights Movement. His untimely death shook the word and devastated many, but he should be remembered for his legacy of hope for equality and peace. The Lorraine Hotel has since become the Civil Rights Museum.

Student with the Murals Program shares her story for the “Spirit of Home” project

Spirit of Home: Old to New, a showcase of artwork from refugee and immigrant students at Pittsburgh Arsenal 6th-through-8th grade, will be presented at Blackbird Artist Studios, located at 3583 Butler Street in Lawrenceville. The opening reception will be held Saturday, April 5th from 6 to 9 pm.

Through their Murals Program, the MGR Foundation has teamed up with the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh, WYEP 91.3 fm, and the Blackbird Artist Studio to bring the stories of Pittsburgh refugee and immigrant students to the forefront.

In recent months, these middle school students have been sharing their lives through the use of fiber arts techniques and by recording their stories and songs at WYEP. Join the students on April 5th when we will celebrate community and the spirit of home!

Join State Senator Jim Ferlo, ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) and PNC Bank for a Homeownership and Foreclosure Prevention Fair this SATURDAY, March 29 from 11 am to 4:30 pm downtown in the Regional Enterprise Tower (426 6th Avenue , 31rst Floor Community Room).

Use this opportunity to get FREE personal help from nonprofit housing counselors, refinancing opportunities, programs and first-time home-buyer assistance. Also, meet with lenders to find the best financial options for you, possibly switching from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate. These lenders include HSBC Bank, EMC and Countrywide among others.

To register or for more information call 412.441.6551 or visit Senator Ferlo’s website.

Margaritas + uncoordinated dance partner = Good Time!
This Saturday, March 29th from 7 to 9 pm at the Union Project, enjoy a night of festive drinks and dance lessons! They will be hosting Margaritas in March, and for $6, you will get a complementary margarita and dance lesson. Enjoy!

Won’t you be my neighbor, East Liberty?
Tomorrow, Thursday March 20 is being recognized as “Won’t You Wear a Sweater?” Day as part of the “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Days.

Tomorrow would be the 80th Birthday of America’s favorite neighbor, and to honor Mr. Rogers, Mr. McFeely — aka David Newell, the public relations director for Family Communications, Inc. (the nonprofit company founded in 1971 by Fred Rogers) — has a special request.

Mr. Rogers’s friend and speedy-delivery postman is asking everyone to wear their favorite sweater in recognition of Mr. Rogers and his neighborly legacy.

So tomorrow, THURSDAY MARCH 20, put on your favorite sweater, give an extra “hello” and smile to all of your neighbors and remember Mr. Rogers’ and the open-armed friendliness that he stood for.

content from press release of Ya Momz House, LCC

COME TOUR THE BUILDING THAT IS THE PULSE OF EAST LIBERTY!!!

“A Warm Welcome to the Werner” Open House Celebrates a Mix of Multicultural, Urban Businesses and Artists in East Liberty

Historically known as East Liberty’s Chamber of Commerce, the Werner Building, is now celebrating a cornucopia of multicultural initiatives. To celebrate, the business owners announce the “Warm Welcome to the Werner” Open House on TONIGHT Friday, March 14 from 6-9 PM.

The “Warm Welcome to the Werner” event TONIGHT! Friday March 14 from 6-9pm is meant to open the doors of the businesses in the building to the community to help educate it on what the building has to offer.

On the first floor, AVA and the Shadow Lounge are the cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s music and spoken word scene.

Upstairs, Ya Momz House, LLC features a full-service recording studio and Hip Hop L.O.C.K. Project ; designers learn sewing skills at Cut & Sew Studio ; and people of all ages gleefully sweat through classes at LV Fitness.

Chuck Brown Photography , Okapi Braiding Salon , Royal Caribbean Restaurant , and private art studios fill every corner of this building with a creative and entrepreneurial ethos.

For More Information Contact:
Lynne Ventress
Tel: 412-418-8671
Email: lynne@lv-fitness.com