Saturday, May 24, 2008

Episode 60, Pittsburgh Helping Hands, Working with Pittsburgh Youth, THREE RIVERS YOUTH

Episode 60 of Positively Pittsburgh Live is part of the April editorial calendar for Pittsburgh Helping Hands. This Episode hi-lights three organizations that work with Pittsburgh Youth. There are so many show notes about each organization that I decided to do separate blogs about all of them. This portion of the blog is hilights, Three Rivers Youth.

You can listen to the archived version of the show at: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/18520

The other two guests: Carol Carmichael, Miracles for Marissa
Toni Felice: The Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania



Peggy B. Harris, MPA
Three Rivers Youth

Peggy Harris has enjoyed a twenty five year career in the nonprofit sector. Ms Harris’s entrée into this field as Director of Financial Management Services at the Community Technical Assistance Center in Pittsburgh provided her a forum to develop the fiduciary roles of area nonprofits. For over a decade, Ms. Harris designed and marketed financial management services to non- profit board and staff. Vice President of Programs when for the Spectrum Family Network. Prior to her entrée in the nonprofit sector, Ms Harris worked for both the FBI (Washington, DC) and Carnegie Mellon University in human resources .

Today, Ms Harris is the President &CEO of Three Rivers Youth, the historically oldest provider of services to abused and neglected African American youth in Western Pennsylvania.
As President &CEO, Ms Harris has helped to re-position the organization as a leader in innovative and model programs (serving at risk youth and their families),

strengthen its financial capacity and through best practices become a preferred employer through investment in employee recognition programs and designed a system to measure the impact of its programs.

Under Ms Harris’ leadership, the organization has set up a scholarship fund for continuing education of at risk youth aging out of the child welfare system and
in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Office Of Public Affairs, published the 125 Year History of Three Rivers Youth.

In 2002, the Forbes Fund recognized the organization with an Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. Today, Ms Harris is determined on creating enhanced opportunities for educational achievement of at risk youth through the execution of Strategy 2010 which will also impact organizational capacity and sustainability.

s.

Ms Harris has an impressive volunteer background which is reflected in her work in many diverse board leadership roles including Past President of the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, Past President of Greater Commission For Women, Past President of Miryam’s (Women’s Shelter), Past Treasurer of the YWCA of the USA & Ex Officio on Board of Trustees of YWCA of the USA, Past President of Jack and Jill of America (Pittsburgh Chapter) and recent past Treasurer of 3 Rivers Connect. Ms Harris was a founding member of the Allegheny County Outcomes Collaborative, a public private partnership designed to enhance accountability in human service delivery.
Ms Harris served as co-chair of a subcommittee of the inaugural DiverseCity Festival Pittsburgh in the summer of 2007 and continues to serve on the YWCA’s Tribute to Women committee.
Currently, Ms Harris serves as a board member of the United Way of Allegheny County where she serves on the Audit and Impact Fund Committee. Ms Harris is the Convener of the Forum of United Way Executives. Ms Harris also serves on the board of Boys and Girls Club of Western Pa. Ms Harris also serves on the board of PACE where she chairs the Fundraising Committee. Ms Harris is also Vice President of Ivy Charitable Endowment, an affiliate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she is a member. Ms Harris also serves on the Advisory Board of the Johnson Institute of the Graduate School of Public & International Affairs (University of Pittsburgh).

In March 2006, Ms Harris received a Trailblazer Award for her leadership in human services. . In August 2006 Ms Harris was recognized as One of the 50 Women of Influence by the New Pittsburgh Courier

Peggy B. Harris,
Three Rivers Youth
2039 Termon Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412.766.2215

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Episode 62, Pittsburgh Helping Hands, Hands on Help for Veterans

Philip Fumera—Disabled Veterans of America
Chairman of Ways and Means Committee for Pennsylvania
Construction Carpenter—339th Engineer
Liaison Officer, Delegate at State Conventions
Past Commander for Chapter 76
Regional Planning Commission
Transportation Advisory Committee
Proposals for Development in Washington County, Pennsylvania

Philip Fumera is a Viet Nam Veteran with a rich family history in the military. His grandfather served in World War I, Father and uncles in World War II and brothers in Viet Nam. He currently volunteers at the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


The services provided by the Disabled Veterans of America through the VA hospital are:
• Treatment Advocacy,
• Transportation Services;
• Money to get them through times that it takes Veterans;
• County Accessible Transport for Veterans
• Accessible Living
• Accessible Transportation
• Housing
• Awards for those who employ veterans
• Homeless Veterans Committee
• Awards for exceptional volunteers
• POW committee for Vietnam Veterans,
Chapters—Pittsburgh, Chapter 8 based at VA Hospital and Chapter 76—Phil’s Chapter
Attempting to start chapter in Washington County

Some areas of discussion:
If a veteran gets out with honorable discharge instead of medical discharge this does not allow for many benefits.

Accessible Van or Accessible Help should be provided readily.
Fight and solve these problems

Dental Care—
Work with Veteran Advisory Committee, D.C.

DAV-service officers review cases for veterans and widows and widowers
How long is time gap for veterans to file?

Service Van on Southside of Pittsburgh—May 13th of on Sarah St at Serbian Club
Computers and service officers will review cases
For dates go to: www.dav.org

Disabled American Veterans
3725 Alexandria Pike
Coolsprings, Kentucky 41076
859-441-7330
e-mail: nsf@davmail.org
www.dav.org

The DVA has Service officers at:

American Legion
VFW
Vision of Purple Heart
Wounded Warriors Program
Pa Turkey Talk takes veterans hunting and fishing
www.panwtf.org

DAV families and orphans
School—Scotland School, children of veterans 3rd to 12th—boarding school, vocational, and selection process

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Episode 53 Pittsburgh Playwrights and Theatres

I am a bit behind in my blogging for Positively Pittsburgh Live Episodes but I felt that this information needed to be disseminated because the Pittsburgh Arts Scene is of the utmost importance to the Greater Pittsburgh Area, so enjoy.

Guests

VERONICA CORPUZ, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Veronica Corpuz oversees the public relations for the nonprofit arts and real estate development organization, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, including the following divisions: PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Dance Council, First Night Pittsburgh, Trust Presents, Education and Community Engagement, Wood Street Galleries, SPACE Gallery, 707-709 Penn Gallery, and the executive and real estate divisions of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic transformation of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District from a formerly blighted downtown area into a thriving arts and entertainment, residential neighborhood.

Over a period of twenty years, the Trust has restored classic grand theaters, constructed
totally new facilities, commissioned public art projects and developed unique urban parks
and riverfront recreation spaces in downtown Pittsburgh. Representing almost one million
square feet, the main properties the Trust owns and operates include:
•Theater Square, designed by architect Michael Graves, encompassing a parking
garage, Cultural District box office, Carolyn M. Byham WQED fm89.3 studio,
the restaurant Café Zao, the Backstage Bar
•The 250-seat Theater Square Cabaret
•The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (2890 seats)
•Byham Theater (century-old vaudeville house with 1300 seats)
•O’Reilly Theater (650-seat venue designed by Michael Graves)
•Harris Theater (a foreign and contemporary film house)
•Agnes R. Katz Plaza, designed by Daniel Urban Kiley, featuring delightful
“eyeball benches” and fountain by sculptor Louise Bourgeois
•Allegheny Riverfront Park, a collaboration of artist Ann Hamilton and
landscape designer Michael Van Valkenburgh
•Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, an art gallery; and 707-709 Penn Gallery
•937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other
downtown real estate properties and arts facilities in the Cultural District


The Trust also encourages and presents diverse performing and visual arts programs; its
main programming divisions include:
•PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh
•Pittsburgh Dance Council
•Trust Presents
•Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts
•CD Live—a collaboration with Three Rivers Arts Festival and WYEP FM
•Downbeat in the District—a free summer jazz series
•Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District—a free showcase of visual art and music
•First Night Pittsburgh—the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration in the city
RiverParc is the Trust’s next key initiative, unmatched in its scope and magnitude:
•One of the nation’s first “green” mixed-use, arts/residential neighborhoods,
developed by Concord Eastridge Inc., and designed by a world-class team
comprising Behnisch Architekten, architects Alliance, Gehl Architects, Transsolar
and WTW Architects

•The six-acre area facing PNC Park and overlooking the Allegheny River is
bounded by Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Penn Avenue, and by Seventh and
Ninth streets.
•The $460 million development is projected to provide approximately 700 new
residential units and 9,200 jobs for the region.
•The plan includes a mix of residential uses, such as unique retail and art spaces,
parking facilities, restaurants, pedestrian plazas, parks, public art projects and
enhanced connections to the riverfront
Veronica Corpuz
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
803 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
412-471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org


City Theater

Stuart Carden is the new associate artistic director of City Theatre Company He is a recent transplant to Pittsburgh from Chicago where he was the associate artistic director of Silk Road Theatre Project. Some recent productions he has directed in Pittsburgh include A PICASSO, LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, THE PILLOWMAN and STONES IN HIS POCKETS.
1. New play development
2. excellent acting community here in Pittsburgh
3. For this size city, the thriving theatre (and arts in general) scene

Stuart Carden (Associate Artistic Director) is in his first season as City Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director, where he has staged A Picasso and The Moonlight Room.
A recent transplant from Chicago, his production of Merchant on Venice was named one of the Top Ten Plays of 2007 by The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Time Out Magazine.
City Theatre has been described as Pittsburgh’s most adventurous theatre. City Theatre specializes in new plays and has brought to Pittsburgh playwrights such as Adam Rapp, Christopher Durang, and Jeffrey Hatcher. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director Greg Quinlan, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre’s mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays that engage a diverse audience.
Since Tracy Brigden’s first season (2001–02), City Theatre has commissioned and produced plays by Adam Rapp (Gompers), Christopher Durang (Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge) and Squonk Opera (Burn), and produced world premieres by Jeffrey Hatcher (Mercy of a Storm), Michele Lowe (String of Pearls), and Leslie Ayvazian (Lovely Day). City Theatre also introduced the new play festival MOMENTUM: new plays at different stages, which has brought to Pittsburgh playwrights such as Lee Blessing and Steven Dietz.

City Theatre’s facilities include the 270-seat main stage, the 100-seat Lester Hamburg Studio, and the Charles Morris Building, which houses rehearsal halls, and costume, prop, and paint shops. In 2004, City Theatre purchased a former steel rolling plant across from the theatre that more than doubles available space. In the coming years the land will be developed, first for theatre parking
Stuart Carden
City Theatre
1300 Bingham Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-431-4400
scarden@citytheatrecompany.org

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company

Mark Clayton Southers is the proud father of Ashley and Marcus Southers. He is a heavy equipment operator for the US Steel Corporation. He is also the founder and producing artistic director for the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. Southers started acting with the Kuntu Repertory Theatre Company in 1991. He made his debut with New Horizons as an actor in 1996.

He made the move from acting to playwrighting during a performance tour in Grahmstown South Africa in 19 98 with the Each One Tell One troupe when by chance he attended a master class in playwrighting being conducted by Mr. August Wilson at the local University.

Pittsburgh Playwright Rob Penny, Javon Johnson and Dr. Vernell Lillie have all been a major influence on Mark as a playwright and artist. Marks very first play When the Water Turns Clear was produced that next year at Chicago’s ETA Theatre. Mark will travel to Poland and Ireland later this month to do research for plays to be included in his Culture Class Series. A series of seven plays that introduce two different cultures onstage. The first play in the series, Hoodwinked, had a workshop production at The Pittsburgh Playwrights in 2006

Southers’s full-length play Ma Noah was the winner of the 2004 Theodore Ward prize at Columbia College in Chicago and was previously produced here at New Horizon. It has recently been published by Northwestern press in an anthology entitled “Best Black Plays”. This past fall he had a reading of his futuristic play Nine Days in the Sun at the Lark Theatre in New York City. His play Ashes to Africa was a finalist at the Dayton Playhouse Future Fest and was part of Kuntu Repertory theatres 2004 season and is also part of the 2008 season at the Houston Ensemble Theatre opening May 1st.

His recent directing credits include – Ma Noah, A Soldiers Play and Pill Hill for New Horizon. Annie Jr., A Slip of the Tongue and Gone With the Breeze for Frick International Studies Academy.
Dutchman and Sparkle and Glow for Bricolage Theater Co, and The Piano Lesson, Stain, Dorothy Six and F.O.R.D. and others for The Pgh Playwrights.
He received an Onyx award for best director for his work on The Piano Lesson.


Mr. Southers was the former chief photographer for the New Pittsburgh Courier. His photography has appeared in numerous publications and is in the permanent collections of the African American Museum of Cleveland as well as the Donsteke Museum in the former U.S.S.R. In 2006 he was the curator the Teenie Harris Collection II at the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh, an exhibition of more than two hundred photographs spanning four decades, all taken by former New Pittsburgh Courier photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris.

Mark Clayton Southers
3515 Iowa St Pgh, PA 15219
Austinsills@aol.com
(412) 377-7803

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Fundraiser for Uper St. Clair Fire Chief

I am passing this information on in hopes that some of you may be
interested in donating an item from your business for a chinese raffle
for this benefit (see below) also attachment letter. As you know this
is a good way to advertise your business and also help others in need!

Thank-you,

Tammy Funk

This past April, Upper St. Clair VFD fire chief Steve Moore and his
children, Mike and Lauren, lost everything in a fire that destroyed
their home. Relief for the Chief, a benefit fund raiser for the Moore
family, is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rhythm
House Café.
The $20 admission price includes an evening of music by The Syndicate
Pittsburgh Country Music Bands, featuring Brynn Marie, Buc Wyld,
Junior Gutherie & WVA Push, Ruff Creek, and Shawn & Hobby. It also
includes free pizza and wings from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
In addition to The Syndicate, other sponsors to the event are Blanc
Printing, Allegheny Ad Service, Inc., Froggy Radio, and The Rhythm
House Cafe. All proceeds benefit the Steve Moor family. For more
information, contact Don Gerlach at 412-257-8680 or 412-257-8297

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Testimonials Positively Pittsburgh Live Talkcast

What a great opportunity. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much. And one of my friends listened in and said she would do so more often - loved the idea of all "positive' stuff.

Can't wait to see what it generates.
Bonnie Hassan
The Place for Reiki



Thanks so much for interviewing me on your show on Monday. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with you and Bette. It's amazing how much we all have in common.

Bonnie Budzowski
Incredible Messages, LP



Thank you so much for the opportunity you provided by having us as guests on Positively Pittsburgh. We did add a link to our site and are really excited and grateful that you picked us out of the myriad of options in Pittsburgh. How wonderful to be grouped with so many wonderful organizations too.
Anastasia & Gabriel~
www.angelsonamission.org


Thank you very much for inviting me to be a part of your TalkCast this evening. I’ve had the privilege of working with John and JoAnn before and it was great to be a part of this with them. I had not heard of Dr. Chordia or his company before, so this call has also helped me learn about him as well.
Joseph M. Polk
Senior Technical Specialist
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP)



I just had to write to you and thank you for the time and energy you put
into your podcasts What a wealth of wonderful info. I can't wait to listen to
more of them. There are so many helpful hints and inspiring stories.
So many exciting things going on in Pittsburgh. With three
small children I haven't been able to attend the marketing and
networking events but I would love to get involved eventually with them.
Thank you for contributing such a wonderful Podcast for Pittsburgh
Business Owners. It's so cool that your guests are willing to share and
help others. I'm very impressed and can't wait to be involved with this
great group of Pittsburghers. Thanks again!

Wendy Cibula
412-720-3550
wendy@franklininn.net



Thanks so much Joanne for the link. I listened to most of the broadcast and found it very informative and enjoyable.
I'm impressed with your show and guests, and have found many interesting topics in the archives.
I must commend you on covering Pittsburgh so well and most especially focusing attention toward African-American events during Black History Month. This is the type of coverage we covet and the community deserves.
Blessings,

JanS
Mozell




Joanne
I enjoyed talking with you and participating on the show. I most especially enjoyed the other guests. They are doing wonderful things in Pittsburgh and obviously there is cause for optimism.
And as for you, may God bless you with success as you use your voice and skills to share his goodness. Thank you for including me as a representative of the North Hills Ebony Women. Take care and God bless.

--
Joyfully, Joy M. W.


It was a pleasure to be part of your Monday February 11th' Round table.
You gave us, and all the participants a big drum to let the whole
Pittsburgh's Village and probably the world know about our respective
programs and philosophies. We are honored to have you as a friend, and to
know that we have people like you who are doing great things for our
community.
A. Tamo Noche
Founder AfricaQuest
www.AfricaQuest.org
Reconnecting People to Their African Roots



Thank you for the interview on Pittsburgh Postively Live. You made the interview experience easy and enjoyable. We really appreciate the Celebrate & Share Women of Achievment Event being featured on your show. Much success to you as you bring the good news about Pittsburgh to the airwaves.

JoAnn R. Forrester
S. I. Business Associates
Blue Ribbon Profiles
Price it Perfect Cost Management System



Thank you having me on. I really enjoyed it. We did cover a lot of ground. It was great fun. I passed your link of the show on to a ton of folks. Thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone
Mark Clayton Southers
Pittsburgh Playwrights





Thank you for having me on yet again! I enjoyed the call tonight and was extremely impressed you got thru all of us, while getting us to all talk so many times.
www.westonlyon.com
Show on Pittsburgh Authors


Thank you once again for the opportunity to be a guest on your show!!! I thought that the show went well. I enjoyed the other guest and learning about what they do ! I may attend some of the Jazz series! I will also pass on the film information to a student that has a special interest in films. Again, thank you and have a great evening!!!!

Renee Forbes
International Academy of Design and Technology


The link for the show came up in my Google alerts this morning!
Thank You for inviting me!
pghtomboy@comcast.net

Thank you again for having us and helping to promote the Sewickley Curb Crawl!
I would love to get the e-mail of Maria Silva as a contact to add to our resources in case anyone has a child, or knows of a neighbor/friend with a child that could use this wonderful resource.

Thanks again!

Rebecca
Sewickley MOMS Club

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Free Concert with Jesssica Lee at St. John Neumann Regional Elementary

Please join us to support the Music and Art of the Children of St. John Neumann Elementary School with featured performer Jessica Lee...

St. John Neumann Regional Elementary School Proudly Presents:

"Dream for Peace"

An Evening of Original Music and Art by the Children of
St. John Neumann

May 20, 2008

6:30PM – 8:30 PM

Our Lady of the Angels Parish Holy Family Church
256 44th Street - Pittsburgh, PA 15201

"Dream for Peace" is an artist/mentorship program showcasing
the vision of our students through music, art, and poetry.

No Cover Charge.

The students’ art will be for sale. Donations accepted.
All proceeds benefit the continuing Arts Program at St. John Neumann.

Please call 412-682-0929 for more information!

In Partnership with Our Lady of the Angels Parish:

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Casting Call for Local Movie

HUGE CASTING CALL FOR PALE

PALE an odyssey of medical macabre is holding an open call for actors!

Pale is a two time award winning dark medical drama series brought to you by Digital O2 Productions and Benzidream FX Studios that embodies the darkest side of the medical profession.

They are holding an open casting call for many roles including:
-Secondary lead roles
-Background doctors and nurses
-Extras
-Female victim roles
AND MORE!!!

When – May 16th and 17th
Time - All day both days
Where – Benzidream FX Studio
3872 Route 8
Allison Park PA 15101
412-837-2073 (Call to schedule a time)

Pay is low but will be made available to lead actors for trips to set.
Extra and background work will receive credit only.

You may view the pilot episode at - http://blip.tv/file/254708/
More trailers from Benzidream can be seen at- http://www.youtube.com/user/Benzidream

This will be an on camera cold read. We do have many other projects going on also. Once you have read for us we will keep you on file and might call you for other jobs that come up in the future!!!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Scholars Host Pre Show Discussions Before Oscar Wilde Performance of "Ideal Husband"

For Immediate Release


Director, noted Wilde scholar announced

as guests for upcoming discussion series

Pittsburgh, PA – May 7, 2008. The upcoming Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre pre-show discussion series will feature Philip E. Smith as the guest for “Artistically Speaking” on Wednesday, May 14th, and Andrew S. Paul for “Behind the Scenes” on Thursday, May 15th. Both talks are free of charge and begin at 7 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. performance of An Ideal Husband. All events take place in the Stephen Foster Memorial on Forbes Avenue in Oakland.

Philip E. Smith teaches in the English department at the University of Pittsburgh, where his seminar in Oscar Wilde and the 1890s is offered regularly for graduate students and senior English majors. He is the editor of Approaches to Teaching the Works of Oscar Wilde (MLA 2008) and the co-editor of Oscar Wilde's Oxford Notebooks (Oxford University Press 1989).

Andrew S. Paul is the artistic director for Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, and the director of An Ideal Husband.

The Wednesday night lecture series is sponsored by UPMC.

Tickets for An Ideal Husband are available by calling ProArtsTickets at 412-394-3353. No tickets are required to attend either discussion.

Melissa Hill Grande

Marketing Director

Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre

PO Box 23607

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

412-561-6000, x203

mgrande@picttheatre.org

Visit our website: www.picttheatre.org!

Social Entrepreneurs and Live Jazz

LIVE RHYTHM, JAZZ & BLUES
Musical Networking Happy Hour
EVERY THURSDAY!!!
5:30 PM - 8 PM
Upstairs At Sassy Marie's,
(formerly the James Street Tavern)
422 Foreland Street on the North Side
Free Parking

Hosted by Jazz/R&B Vocalist - Jessica Lee

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cover Charge: Only $5.00!

The "ENTREPRENEURIAL THURSDAYS" Happy Hour Show
Live Music by City's Great Jazz/R&B Artists!
Interviews @ Musical Break with City's Leading Entrepreneurs/Innovators!
Great Business & Professional Networking!
May 15, 2008
"Social Enterprise and Pittsburgh's Dynamic Nonprofit Sector"
Featuring Interviews with:
Deborah A. Moses, Senior Relationship Manager - Charitable Management Services, Fifth Third Bank (www.53.com)


Mike Gable, Executive Director - Construction Junction (www.constructionjunction.org)


Lulu Orr, Executive Director - Good Grief Center (www.goodgriefcenter.com)


Eric Lingren, Executive Director - Venture Outdoors (www.ventureoutdoors.org)


Gerald Driggs,CEO - Social Innovation Accelerator (www.acceleratenow.org)

www.jessicaleesong.com
"Entrepreneurial Thursdays" Partners

Friday, May 9, 2008

Vote for Pittsburgh Pirates Number One Fan

KZ Zimmerman’s Mom:

By the way, first place is now going to a young man in Texas. Nice kid but are we going to let that Happen?
JQS


This is SO cool; my nephew nominated my mom for World's biggest pirates fan. She truly is....she continues to watch them even though they most always lose.

PLEASE go to the website via the link below, scroll down to the VOTE bar, click. Mom is presently #2. Her pics are of her at PNC park with a ball she got, one with Jeff Cox (former 3rd base coach) and her at Spring training this yr in FL. We grew up on pirates baseball b/c she always watched or listened to the games. Scroll all the way to the bottom of that page and click next to GRACE ZIMMERMAN and VOTE!

http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/2008/05/wanted-your-vote-for-biggest-pirate-fan.html



NOMINATED BY SEAN DONOVAN:

I'm submitting this entry on behalf of Grace Zimmerman. She will be 87 in June and has been a Pirate fan since her family got their first radio around 1935. She used to listen with her dad, who was also a big fan of the team. Grace started by listening to Rosie Rosewell and has followed the team through eight decades, and there is a brick with her name on it next to the Honus Wagner statue outside PNC Park. Even when the Pirates are having a down year she still listens/watches through game #162, and, of course, roots for the National League team in the World Series each fall.

http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/2008/05/wanted-your-vote-for-biggest-pirate-fan.html

See her pictures in gallery below.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Oscar Wilde's Ideal Husband presented by Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre

Press Release--Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
For immediate release:

Contact: Melissa Hill Grande

Director of Marketing

(412) 561-6000 x203

mgrande@picttheatre.org

http://www.picttheatre.org


An Ideal Husband launches PICT’s “Wilde Affairs”

Scandalous behavior and political intrigue give Oscar Wilde’s

social comedy a contemporary relevance

Pittsburgh, PA – April 25, 2008. A politician embroiled in a moral dilemma takes center stage in Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre’s upcoming production of An Ideal Husband, by Oscar Wilde. The show runs May 8th through May 31st in the Henry Heymann Theatre at the Stephen Foster Memorial on Forbes Avenue in Oakland.

The notoriously straight-laced politician Robert Chiltern is on the verge of obtaining cabinet rank, when a mysterious woman from his past emerges and threatens to reveal his darkest secret. Unbeknownst to his adoring wife and admiring friends, Chiltern launched his career by less-than-honorable means. Mrs. Cheveley – the woman who holds his fate in her hands – is willing to keep his secret safe for a price. To save himself from discovery, he must tarnish his honor once again. His neer-do-well friend Lord Goring holds both the key to Chiltern’s salvation and to Chiltern’s sister Mabel’s heart.

An Ideal Husband is directed by Andrew S. Paul, with scenery by Gianni Downs, lighting by Erick Leininger, costumes by Joan Markert, and sound design by Zachary Brown. The production stars David Whalen, Nike Doukas, Paul Todaro, and Beth Hylton.

Playwright Oscar Wilde was born October 16, 1854 in Dublin to William and Jane Francesca Wilde. Wilde studied at Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford, then moved to London where he began his literary career. In addition to poetry, his published works include the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891), a series of stories for children, and a number of dramatic works, including Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), An Ideal Husband (1895), The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), A Woman of No Importance (1893), and Salome (written in 1891 but banned by the censor; first produced in Paris in 1896). He married Constance Lloyd in 1884, and his sons Cyril and Vyvyan were born in 1885 and 1886, respectively. He gained celebrity status in his own time, first as a notorious wit and member of the aesthetic movement, and later for his conviction on a charge of gross indecency (homosexuality) for which he served time in prison. He died in Paris in 1900, three years after his release from Reading Prison.

Director Andrew S. Paul is the founder and artistic director of Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre. Last season for PICT he directed Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and David Hare’s Stuff Happens and Via Dolorosa. He recently traveled to Poland, where he directed and collaborated with Hare on the non-English language premiere of Stuff Happens at the Slaski Teatr in Katowice.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2007 Performer of the Year David Whalen plays Sir Robert Chiltern. Whalen played Edgar in the recent PICT production of King Lear, and was seen last season as George W. Bush in Stuff Happens, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, Padraic Osbourne in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. A Pittsburgh native, Whalen is a graduate of Point Park University and the North Carolina School for the Arts. He played Joe Pitt in the American regional premiere of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America at Houston’s Alley Theatre and toured Europe with the production. He also appeared in the Arden/City Theatre co-production of Michael Hollinger’s Opus.

Nike Doukas makes her PICT debut as the seductive and deceitful Mrs. Cheveley. An MFA graduate of the American Conservatory Theatre program, Doukas has performed at many of America’s most respected regional theatres. Her credits include Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, and Blythe Spirit at South Coast Repertory; The Wood Demon and Henceforward at the Mark Taper Forum; Sea of Tranquility and Much Ado About Nothing at the Old Globe; and The Importance of Being Earnest at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Her recent television and film credits include Shark, Women’s Murder Club, Numbers, Boston Legal, and Desperate Housewives (recurring.).

Paul Todaro, who recently played Edmund in PICT’s production of King Lear, plays Lord Goring, resident man-about-town and confidante to Sir Robert. Last season for PICT, he played Lövborg in Hedda Gabler, and Elyot in Private Lives, and he was Gabriel in PICT’s 2004 production of James Joyce’s The Dead. Todaro spent ten years in New York with Independent Theatre Company where his acting credits included the title roles in Hamlet, MacBeth, and his directing credits included the plays of Beckett, Brecht, and Ionesco.

Beth Hylton returns to PICT after playing Amanda in the 2007 production of Private Lives. Her most recent performances include Catharine in Suddenly Last Summer at the Hippodrome State Theatre, Sonia in Life x 3 at Gulfshore Playhouse, and Helen in And a Nightingale Sang at Everyman Theatre. She has an MFA in acting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s professional actor training program.

The cast of An Ideal Husband also includes Anwen Darcy, James FitzGerald, E. Bruce Hill, Kathleen Huber, Dek Ingraham, Jay Keenan, Catherine Moore, and Mary Rawson

Scenic designer Gianni Downs designed the 2007 PICT productions Pride and Prejudice, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Private Lives, Nine Parts of Desire, and Stuff Happens, as well as the 2006 PICT production of Boston Marriage. Costumes are designed by Joan Markert (School for Scandal), lighting by Erick Leininger (Boston Marriage), and sound by Zachary Brown (Pride and Prejudice, Private Lives).

An Ideal Husband is the first in a series of three plays in the PICT season that showcase Wilde’s diverse artistry as a writer. Wilde’s beautiful children’s tales are brought to life through spoken word, song, and dance in the world premiere of Wilde Tales, a musical by Bruce Dow adapted from Wilde’s stories “The Happy Prince” and “The Selfish Giant,” and directed by Sheila McKenna. In “The Happy Prince,” the prince’s statue sits high on a pedestal from whence he sees the misery of the people he once ruled. Desperate and forlorn, he enlists the help of a friendly swallow to distribute his jewels and gold leaf among the poor…but to what end? “The Selfish Giant” tells the touching story of a giant who prohibits children from playing in his garden. It is always winter inside his walls… until his heart is softened by a very special boy.

The first half of Wilde Tales, “The Happy Prince,” is this year’s recipient of the Stanier Arts Award and will be presented as part of the International Children’s Festival from May 14 to May 18 at Bellefield Hall. PICT will then present Wilde Tales in its entirety from May 22 to May 31 at the Charity Randall Theatre.

Wilde’s talent as a writer in verse is showcased in Salome, running June 12th through the 28th in the Charity Randall Theatre and directed by Alan Stanford. Salome is not a woman who takes rejection lightly! When Jokanaan rebuffs her advances, she reacts by succumbing to her step-father Herod’s request that she dance for him. Herod offers her the world on a plate, but she has something else in mind. PICT presents Oscar Wilde’s retelling of the Biblical story of Salome and John the Baptist, reimagined by director Alan Stanford, and with an original score composed and performed live by Roger Doyle.

An Ideal Husband runs May 8th through May 31st in the intimate Henry Heymann Theatre, located in the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland. The Wednesday night preshow discussion on May 14th is sponsored by UPMC. A special student matinee is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. Tickets for public performances are $47 to $17 and are available by calling ProArts Tickets at 412-394-3353 or visiting www.picttheatre.org. To schedule students into the matinee performance, contact PICT education director Michele McClendon at 412-561-6000 x208, or email mmcclendon@picttheatre.org.

An Ideal Husband Fact Sheet

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Andrew S. Paul

Henry Heymann Theatre, Stephen Foster Memorial, Oakland

Cast: Anwen Darcy, Nike Doukas, James FitzGerald, E. Bruce Hill, Kathleen Huber, Beth Hylton, Dek Ingraham, Jay Keenan, Catherine Moore, Mary Rawson, Paul Todaro and David Whalen

Design Team: Zachary Brown (Sound), Gianni Downs (Scenic), Erick Leininger (Lighting), Joan Markert (Costumes)

Performance Dates and Times:

First Week: Thursday – Friday, May 8 - 9, Previews, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 10, Opening Night, 8 p.m. (followed by reception)

Sunday, May 11, 2 p.m. (followed by Mother’s Day treats with the cast!)

Thursday, May 1, 2008

North Shore-Pittsburgh Free Movies! Got Kids!

GOT KIDS!!!!

If so, join us each and every Saturday for May Movie Madness!
Admission for the kids is FREE!!! All movies are family friendly!
Parents, for your convenience a very kid friendly food menu will be
offered!

Now Showing
May 3 – Shark Tale
May 10 – Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix
May 17 – Shrek the III
May 24 – Fantastic 4 Rise of the Silver Surfer
May 31 – A Bugs Life

Bring Your Own Blanket, bean bag, pillow, & PARENTS!!!

Hope to see ya @ Amani Coffeehouse & Cafe
507 Foreland Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-322-0647
amaniinternational@yahoo.com