Cooling centers for seniors
As meteorologists predict temperatures to reach 90 degrees this week, the city of Pittsburgh is extending hours at local senior centers in the area to act as cooling centers for seniors to use to beat the heat.
For residents more than 60 years old, the Citiparks Homewood and South Side Market House and the Jewish Community Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Thursday.
“It is our goal to provide a cool, fun and safe environment for our most at-risk citizens during dangerous heat waves,” Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a release.
The cooling centers will include refreshments, games, Internet access and use of exercise equipment. To reduce health risks during the heat wave, medical professionals and Ravenstahl encourage individuals, especially young and elderly persons, to stay hydrated and eliminate or reduce outdoor activity. Also they ask residents to frequently check on elderly family members or neighbors.
The Homewood center is located at 7321 Frankstown Ave, The South Side Market House is at 12th and Bingham streets and the Jewish Community Center is located at 5738 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill.
Free course for dislocated workers
With the help of a MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures grant, the Community College of Allegheny County Boyce campus, located in Monroeville, will offer a free course in medical office management through their Dislocated Workers Tuition Waiver Program.
The course will be offered in the fall and is geared toward local unemployed individuals over the age of 50 with management experience and is designed to provide opportunities for administrative employment in various medical offices.
The course will begin Aug. 17 and last through Oct. 5, Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information or to register, call 412-788-7351.
Asthma clinic
Duquesne University, with funding by the Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement program, will host a free Asthma Camp for children ages 5 to17 and their parents Aug. 7 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the AJ Palumbo Center. The camp comes after research, conducted by Allegheny General Hospital and the university, found that 82 percent of inner city youths who were diagnosed with asthma were poorly controlling the disease. And there was an alarming rate of children that were undiagnosed.
The camp will include asthma education, health screenings, lunch and a basketball skills instruction by university athlete volunteers. To attend the camp, each camper must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. For more information on the camp or to register, call 412-396-2155.
Zoo expansion
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is planning an expansion project including rare species exhibits and a veterinary hospital.
Zoo president Barbara Baker says the four- to five-acre expansion pushes into the last area of the grounds that hasn’t been renovated in the last 20 years.
The project, tentatively named “Top of the World,” will include an education center, a 10,000-square-foot facility for reptiles and amphibians and 10 to 13 outdoor exhibits.
Design work will begin in the fall. No cost estimate or construction timetable have been established.
KRUNK movement
The Charm Bracelet Project will present their Fresh Fridays North Side Farmer’s Market Aug. 6 with special guest, The Kreating Realistic Urban New-School Knowledge (KRUNK) Movement doing a live performance. This is a student-led initiative that encourages physical and mental health through various music styles and dance.
The farmer’s market will take place every Friday, from now through September from 4-6 p.m. at the corner of Cedar Avenue and East Ohio Street. There will be family activities, appearances from local chefs and cooking demonstrations of delicious healthy foods.
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