View the full guide, here.

Featured Events

Zenshine Garden Tour & Opening
info@5pmgroupobh.org https://www.5pmgroupobh.org 412-877-4828 Valley Refuge Shelter in Riverview Park Saturday June 3, 2023 Noon – 4:00 PM Join the 5PM Group for free food, Live Music by Lee Robinson & Iska. Several vendors that support this project with us will be there like: Allegheny City Society, City of Pittsburgh, Park Rangers, Fishing Rod Foundation, Friends of Riverview, Grow Pittsburgh and more.

Pittsburgh Park Rangers
Explorers Program Offering after school environmental programming throughout Pittsburgh’s Northside. Programs can be arranged for all ages on-site or in a local greenspace. Programs offered: Amazing Animal Adaptations, Tree Plantings & Litter-Sweeps, Pollinator Palooza, Water, Runoff, and Watersheds! Plus many more! To get involved, contact Ranger Erica, 412-518-0280 or Erica.heide@pittsburghpa.gov

Northside Explorer’s – They’re Your Parks, Let’s Explore!
Every Tuesday in May! Join your rangers in Allegheny Commons Park West from 10AM-12PM next to Gus & Yai Yai’s by the tennis courts. To get involved, contact Ranger Stevie at 412-414-3822 or lauren. smith@pittsburghpa.gov May 2 – Introduction and distribution of Explorer’s Guide May 9 – Safety in our parks and build your own park.
May 16 – Let’s talk about trees! The value of trees and how to plant a tree. Children will be able to plant their own seed.
May 23 – Leave no trace principles and activity.
May 30 – Nature walk and scavenger hunt.

Create and Learn with Creative Reuse
CLP – Allegheny 1230 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 May 16 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Flex your creativity and resourcefulness with Creative Reuse! Explore an array of unique reused materials and learn how to create beautiful works of art and craft projects, while saving useful materials from the landfill.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank No Cost Farmers Market
CLP – Woods Run 1201 Woods Run Ave., Pgh, PA 15212 April 29 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Groceries for free! Hosted by CLP & Dontae Gordon, Food Equity Ambassador. Join us for a no cost farmer’s market at your local library branch! Read a good book and pick some local produce to take home. Drive or walk up. Bring carts or bags if you have them. No ID or preregistration required.

Celebration of Seeds: Gardening for the Whole Family
CLP – Woods Run 1201 Woods Run Ave., Pgh, PA 15212 April 29 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Join us for this family friendly introduction to gardening where you’ll learn tips for engaging gardeners of all ages.

How to Decide Which Birth Control Method is Right for You

(StatePoint) With multiple contraceptive methods available, including sterilization, contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices and condoms, many women may wonder which is right for them. Because many lifestyle and health-related factors can influence this personal and intimate decision, there is no one option that is a good choice for all women.

The best method of birth control a woman can choose is one that she knows is safe, that she is comfortable using, and that she is able to use consistently and correctly. When evaluating contraception options, experts suggest that women consider several factors, including:

• Do you plan to get pregnant in a few years or a few months?

• How frequently do you have sex and how many partners do you have?

• How effective is each method of contraception?

• How safe are your options and what side effects or risks do they pose?

• Do you have religious or cultural beliefs that need to be considered?

• Is the method you might choose convenient and affordable?

• Do you have any health issues that might make some options unsafe for you?

Health History There are both hormonal and non-hormonal forms of birth control.

While millions of women have successfully used hormonal contraception like the birth control pill for decades, it is important for women to speak with their healthcare provider about their health history when choosing a birth control method. Birth control that contains estrogen can increase a woman’s risk for heart attack, stroke and dangerous blood clots.

In fact, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, women who use hormonal contraception have a three- to nine-fold greater risk for blood clots compared to women who do not use birth control that contains estrogen. When women have other risk factors for blood clots, like obesity or a personal or family history of clotting, their risk can dramatically increase. For example, research shows that blood clot risks are doubled in women who are obese, and the risk for dangerous blood clots is 35 times greater among women who use hormonal birth control and are also affected by the most common genetic clotting disorder factor V Leiden.

Birth control methods that contain estrogen also present health risks to women with medical conditions like severe diabetes, hypertension and breast cancer. Women considering their contraception options can get information that will help them navigate the range of birth control methods available, and also complete a health history questionnaire to share with their healthcare provider, by visiting the Alexandra Rowan Foundation at www. alexrowanfoundation.org.

Women should never feel pressured by partners, friends, family or their healthcare provider to choose a form of birth control. Birth control is a woman’s choice and, when fully informed, women can select a contraceptive method that is safe, effective, and meets their specific needs.