Downtown Bike Lane Sees More Than 24,000 Rides In May

Protected bike lanes along Penn Avenue saw more than 24,000 bike trips in May, according to figures the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership release Thursday.

The bike lanes, installed in September 2014, eliminated a lane for vehicles with bollards along the route. Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in mid-April installed three mechanical counters across the width of the bike lane on the 600, 900, and 1200 blocks of Penn Avenue to track usage.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8502253-74/bike-downtown-avenue#ixzz3c7PPtenX
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Officials Hopeful Of Finally Obtaining Funding For Lower Mon Locks, Dams Project

Area congressmen are optimistic that federal funds will be available soon for a full year’s work of upgrading locks and dams on the lower Monongahela River.

John Rizzo, spokesman for Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Scranton, said Wednesday a bill with $52 million for the Lower Mon Project was released May 21 by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Matt Dinkel, spokesman for Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, said that $52 million is included in House of Representatives Bill 2028, an appropriations measure passed May 1.

Part of a $1.7 billion project, the $52 million is to be used in fiscal 2015-16 at the Charleroi No. 4 Locks and Dam by the Army Corps of Engineers.

That’s part of a project to upgrade Charleroi No. 4 and Braddock No. 2 locks and dams and eliminate Elizabeth No. 3 Locks and Dam.

Read more: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/8493916-74/project-locks-million#ixzz3c7L0qfjF
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One MarketWay West Undergoing Major Revamp, Adding Eatery, Apartments

A largely underused building in the heart of York City will once again be a bustle of activity as its massive renovation project gets underway.

The massive One MarketWay West will be home to a restaurant, a flagship bank branch, apartments, an underground parking garage and more, said the father and daughter team who owns the building that was once Bear’s Department Store.

The owners and a redevelopment official say the amenities will not only attract people to the city for a bite to eat but also bring more residents to its downtown core.

“There will be people living here. There will be people coming back to the city,” said Patricia Will, a partner with One West, the company that owns the building.

Read more:

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_28250253/one-marketway-west-undergoing-major-revamp-adding-eatery

Gov. Tom Wolf Powers Up Conveyors At Opening Of New Urban Outfitters Fulfillment In Gap

If Gov. Tom Wolf wanted to see his campaign promises in action, he came to the right place Thursday morning, said Urban Outfitters CEO Richard Hayne.

Jobs that pay? “You’re looking at them,” Hayne said at the grand opening for Urban Outfitters’ massive 1 million square foot e-commerce fulfillment center in Salisbury Township just outside Gap on Route 30.

The site will ramp up from the existing staffing of 150 people to 500 as the year progresses, and could reach 1,000 to 1,500. Standard starting pay is $11.50 per hour, director of fulfillment Carl Carbonell said.

It also exemplifies “schools that teach” and “government that works,” Wolf’s other two priorities, Hayne said.

Read more:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/watch-gov-tom-wolf-powers-up-conveyors-at-opening-of/article_a09c1d32-0ad2-11e5-b006-43c0ef88a8ae.html

Three People Dead, 13 Injured In I-380 Wreck

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP, PA — What caused a fatal collision between a tour bus and two tractor-trailers that killed three and wounded more than a dozen on a busy stretch of Poconos interstate remained unknown Wednesday afternoon as state troopers continued an investigation.

Wednesday’s wreck involved two tractor-trailers and an Italian tour bus on Interstate 380 North near mile marker 4. The crash happened at 10:09 a.m., state police said. The bus carrying an Italian tour group left the New York City metro area at 7:30 a.m. for Niagara Falls, a spokesman for Academy Bus said this afternoon.

“We can confirm that one of the deceased is the bus driver,” Brian Dickerson said in an email. “We offer our condolences to the family of this valued member of our Academy team, as well as to the families of others tragically affected by this accident. We also extend our thoughts to the injured.”

Dickerson did not identify the bus driver, who had “more than a decade of experience behind the wheel.”

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/three-people-dead-13-injured-in-i-380-wreck-1.1892786

Blue Mountain Resort’s Wine Me Up Festival – June 6th And 7th

Wine Me Up Festival

If you like wine, tapas and music.. you’re going to love our must-attend, premier event!

Red, White & Blush

Calling all wine-lovers and cheer-givers!  Celebrate with us and sample a variety of vino at our 2-day, Wine Me Up Festival atop PA’s highest vertical.  Plus, an exclusive Preview Night on Friday if you can’t wait for the weekend!

Friday, June 5 – Preview Night 7pm to 10pm outside in the Summit Courtyard – limited to 100 guests

• $150 for 2 guests includes the following:
  • Featuring 4 Local Vineyards with exclusive tastings
  • Butlered Hors D’oeuvres and 6-course Tapas Dinner
  • Meet the Winemakers and Live Entertainment – Brain Axander Music

• A VIP Goody Bag and Complimentary Valet Parking!
  • SALE FOR VIP TICKETS ENDS JUNE 3RD AT MIDNIGHT

Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 – Festival 12pm to 5pm each day outside on the Summit Terrace

• $45 per person (per day) includes the following:
  • Featuring fine wine from Pennsylvania Vineyards – see confirmed list below
  • 20 Specialty Vendors with rare wares
  • Butlered Tapas and Live Entertainment
    • June 6 – She Said Sunday from 12pm to 5pm
    • June 7 – The Peter Johann Band from 12pm to 5pm
  • A Commemorative Wine Glass for sampling!
    • RATES INCREASE FRIDAY AT MIDNIGHT

Click link for website, more info and/or to buy tickets: https://www.skibluemt.com/upcoming-events/wine-me-up/

Philadelphia Art Commission Grants Final Approval To Reading Viaduct Spur

The Reading Viaduct Spur took another step toward reality Wednesday morning when the Philadelphia Art Commission gave the project the blessing of final approval.

The Spur is a quarter-mile arm of the viaduct that stretches between Broad Street and Callowhill Street.

Wednesday’s presentation described in detail how Phase 1 would incorporate plant material and path surface materials (think chip seal paving) into the project. It also addressed how structural elements (think bridges) would be rehabilitated; how recreational features (benches, swings, lighting) would be strategically placed on the site; how toxins (mostly railroad ballast, very little PCB presence) would be remediated; and how the entire spur would be maintained.

The Center City District is still raising money to complete the planned improvements on the first phase of the project. The group has raised about 65 percent of the $9 million it needs for the “SEPTA spur” and is pursuing a $3.5 million grant from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), according to John Struble, of Friends of the Rail Park. After the improvements are completed, the city would take over ownership of the park.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Art_Commission_grants_final_approval_to_Reading_Viaduct_Spur.html#RO5DAiaup6Gp7OgT.99

Tuesday Nights Backyard Gardening Series At Althouse Aboretum

A lecture series presented by Master Gardeners and other experts in their field.
Please preregister here

Native Plants for Every Garden

JUNE 9th        7:00 pm           Donation: $5
Learn how you can add beauty and reduce maintenance  while at the same time improving the ecosystem of your own backyard by using native plants in your landscape with Marc Randell, Master Gardener.  You can preregister here

Certified Wildlife Habitats

JUNE 16^th   7:00 pm           Donation: $5
Certified Wildlife Habitats are a program run by the National Wildlife Federation to provide recognition for any property that provides food, water, shelter, nesting spaces and sustainable gardening practices that support wildlife. Whether you have a small yard, a balcony or acres of land, this program will help you attract beautiful wildlife to your property and reduce storm water in the process.  You can preregister here
~ Rachel Rosenfeld, Master Gardener

Garden Tips & Tricks, a Show & Tell

JUNE 23^rd   7:00 pm          Donation: $5

Find fresh ideas to use in  your garden this summer. Learn about items in your home or yard that can be re-purposed or recycled in  ways you may not have thought of. Get the down and dirty with Kathy Klein, Master Gardener  You can preregister here

Garden in Place and Bring Nature Home

JUNE 30^th   7:00 pm          Donation: $5
To garden in place and bring nature home not only beautifies your environment, feeds birds and wildlife and makes maintenance easier, but it also shows a personal commitment to preserving our natural world.  Preserving our natural world in this way supports life not only in your backyard but on the planet as well. Putting this concept into practice may be easier than you think, with greater rewards than you imagine. Learn more with Leslie Bass, Master Grardener.  You can preregister here