The word sustainability and its synonym “green” have become common household terms. These words are spoken by government officials to describe community plans and used by businesses to demonstrate a commitment to the environment. But what does “sustainability” mean and why should we be aware of it i...

The Pittsburgh Public School Board last night voted not to approve the charter application for Propel Charter Schools Northside location, as recommended by the district’s Charter Review Team. Propel was not alone. The board rejected two other charter school applications and approved one, that of Urb...

A plaque on the Fidelity Bank building in Troy Hill, formerly the upper station of the Troy Hill Incline, details the history of the neighborhood's incline. (Photo by Ethan Cohen) The Fineview Citizens Council on Feb. 15 met with Pittsburgh City Council to discuss a proposal for historic designation...

“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”  - James Allen, “As a Man Thinketh” There is a new branch of psychology called positive psychology that focuses on finding new ways to develop the mind to support who we want to be, rather than being an ef...

Of the nearly 18,000 people incarcerated in the Allegheny County Jail at any given time, 10 to 12,000 will be released and re-incarcerated within three years. That is 60 to 70 percent of all inmates, according to 2009 data from the Allegheny County Jail. The Hopeshot Aftercare Jail and Prison Minist...

Oasis volunteer Sandra Chieffe helps a student at Allegheny Traditional Academy. (Photo courtesy Oasis) After seeing an ad calling for tutors to help Northside students learn how to read better , Sandra Chieffe decided to give it a shot. After nine years of volunteering at Allegheny Traditional Acad...

Providence Connections original playground, worth $50,000, was destroyed by vandals in September. The center plans to build a larger one in place of the destroyed one. (Photo courtesy Providence Connections) Brightwood-based family center Providence Connections has raised enough funds to rebuild a p...

Left: Mary Jane Barbush was a leader in the Fineview community for more than 30 years. (Photo courtesy Fineview Citizens Council) Long-time Fineview resident and community leader Mary Jane Barbush passed away on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at the age of 73. Barbush, who served for more than 30 years in...

The 2011 filing season is under way, and there are a number of changes to note. Last-minute tax changes, on top of a number of other changes throughout the year, add many surprises for individuals. If you're looking to get an early start on filing your 2010 return, here are some key points to know. ...

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Charter Review Team announced earlier this week its recommendation that the school board not approve the charter school application of Propel Charter Schools to open a location on the Northside. The Board of Directors’ vote on the Propel application as well as three oth...