The second session of Venture Outdoors Pedal, Paddle, Peduto took place on Sunday July 5, as Councilman Bill Peduto and participants went on a bike ride through downtown Pittsburgh.

Louise Sturgess from Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, Don Carter from Urban Design Associates, and Eve Picker from no walls productions joined Councilman Peduto to speak about the history and design of our downtown buildings.  

The 32 participants, both children and adults, simultaneously learned about the downtown area of their city, and enjoyed a relaxing bike ride past the buildings they were learning so much about.

Missed out on the last two Pedal, Paddle, Peduto trips?  Don’t worry – there is still one session of Pedal, Paddle, Peduto left this summer!
Sign up here for the City Parks Walkabout.

On June 14th, outdoor activity and policy discussion were united in the first session of Venture Outdoor’s Pedal, Paddle, Peduto summer program.  

For the first session, 42 people joined Councilman Bill Peduto for a kayaking trip with an informative twist.  As the group kayaked on Pittsburgh’s rivers, they also learned about the Pittsburgh’s riverfront environment and riverfront development.

Lisa Schroeder from Riverlife, Tom Baxter from Friends of the Riverfront, and Rob Pfaffmann from Pfaffmann and Associates spoke to the participants about our city’s rivers.

For more photos, visit the Pedal, Paddle, Peduto page, or our Flickr!

At 1pm today, Councilman Bill Peduto will be holding a press conference before a special session of City Council on the use of technology to advance democracy.  Technology and new media, such as a government iPhone application, live streaming of government meetings online, and deliberative polling and instant feedback by constituents during government meetings, can be used to bring the residents of Pittsburgh into the democratic process in more ways than ever before.

Today’s special session, beginning at 1:30pm, will focus on discussions by leading experts in the new media and technology fields on these topics and more, including:

• Dr. Priya Narasimhan- Carnegie Mellon University, creator of YinzCam technology
• Paul Fireman – Vivo
• Brad Winney – Panopto, Inc.
• Jay Resio – MyGov365

To watch a live streaming of this meeting online, beginning at 1:30pm today – click here – and then select “View Live” underneath the section E Democracy.

This summer, outdoor activity and public policy discussion will be combined into one new program from Venture Outdoors Pittsburgh.  Venture Outdoors and Councilman Bill Peduto are teaming up to create Pedal, Paddle, Peduto – and you can get in on the fun!

Join Councilman Peduto and local experts for the Three Rivers Kayaking Tour, the Downtown Bike Tour, the City Parks Walkabout – or all three – to enjoy Pittsburgh’s green spaces and learn about riverfront development,  architecture, urban design, and much more.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to both experience and learn about your city!  For more information, or to sign up, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org.

Don’t forget – Tuesday, May 19th is the Democratic primary election in the City of Pittsburgh!

Your local poll will be open from 7am to 8pm.
Not sure where to vote? Check your polling location here.

There are several important races on the ballot that will help decide the future of our City. Voting is the biggest way that you can let your voice be heard – don’t forget to go out and support your candidates!

Last night, several residents of City Council District 8 attended a reception with Councilman Bill Peduto at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
The group enjoyed food donated by local bakeries and restaurants, and live jazz by Matt Ferrante.
Thank you to everyone who came  out to support Councilman Bill Peduto’s reelection campaign, and to all of the fantastic volunteers!  Check out the flickr page for even more photos.

The Peduto for City Council campaign will be holding it’s last fundraiser before the primary election tomorrow night at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside.

May 14, 2009
7:00pm – 9:00pm
A suggested contribution of $100 per person is requested.

 
Come out and join us for an evening of live jazz by Matt Ferrrante, refreshments, and the Guided by the Ancestors quilt display by Tina Williams Brewer.  If you have been thinking about donating to the Peduto for City Council campaign, now is your chance!

On Saturday, volunteers from the Peduto for Council campaign worked with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to help with the planting of a community garden in Shadyside.  The Peduto volunteers joined a several other individuals and groups to plant the garden on the corner of Centre Avenue and S. Aiken Avenue, in the lawn of First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh.  The group worked for about 2 and a half hours digging holes, planting a variety of flowers, and mulching.  

Thank you to all of the Peduto volunteers who took the time to help beautify our neighborhood!  If you would like to help with a WPC garden planting in your neighborhood, check out the planting schedule and sign up today!

Despite the rainy weather, many people came out to celebrate the return of the Pittsburgh Marathon yesterday with Councilman Bill Peduto in Bloomfield.

Guests enjoyed breakfast food and warm coffee, made signs for their favorite runners, and cheered on the record number of marathon participants.

Guests also enjoyed live music from national recording artist Emily Rodgers, and Pittsburgh’s own Lohio.

Check out the Flickr page for even more photos.

Where can you watch live bands, eat breakfast food, and watch the return of the Pittsburgh Marathon from a prime location along the route – all for free?  

Councilman Bill Peduto’s mega marathon party is the Pittsburgh Marathon Party that you have been waiting for!  Join us this Sunday, May 3 and celebrate the return of a Pittsburgh tradition, featuring live performances by national recording artist Emily Rodgers, and Pittsburgh’s own Lohio.

Sunday May 3, 2009
9:00am – 12:30pm
Corner of Baum Blvd. and Liberty Ave.

Walking and biking to the party is encouraged.  Limited, first come, first serve parking will be available in the lot of Cafe Sam, across the street from our party site.  

If you plan on driving, remember to plan your route ahead of time - click here for a list of street closing times and locations.

We are looking for several volunteers to help us make this party a success – if you are interested in helping please email us!