Saturday, July 23, 2011

Positively Pittsburgh Live! Pittsburgh Ecology Advocates 5-2-11


Positively Pittsburgh Live! 5-2-11
Pittsburgh Ecology Advocates
(Recap of 5-2-11 Show by Delana Flowers)

Today’s Guests
Nikole Brugnoli Sheaffer, The Environmental charter School at Frick Park
Jessica Kester, The Outdoor Classroom
Sandy Antoinette, Wild Bird Center



The Environmental Charter School of Pittsburgh (ECS) provides a unique educational experience for students and teachers by integrating the Pennsylvania Environment, Ecology, Science, and Technology standards within the Math, Social Studies and Language Arts curriculum. The Outdoor Classroom (formerly the Regional Environmental Education Center) Provides hands-on, site-based environmental education to southwestern Pennsylvania residents ages 2 through adult.Wild Bird Center in Mc Murray, family owned and operated retail store that specializes in everything for the backyard bird enthusiast.



Nikole Brugnoli Sheaffer
·         The Environmental Education Coordinator at ECS.
·         Earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College.
·         Worked at Conservation Consultants, Inc., encouraging “green” changes in Pittsburgh neighborhoods and developing environmental education programs for local schools.
·         At the University of Maryland emerged with an elementary teaching certificate and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
·         Worked as a fourth grade teacher in an arts integrated magnate school for the highly gifted.
·         Today, she works to actualize the school mission of building critical thinkers and problem solvers utilizing the environment as a teaching tool. 
·         Work focuses on growing the Environmental Charter School to an institution leading region in progressive thinking and educational practice.
About the Environmental Charter School (ESC)
  • Provides a unique educational experience for students and teachers by integrating the Pennsylvania Environment, Ecology, Science, and Technology standards within the Math, Social Studies and Language Arts curriculum. 
  • In addition to classroom-based instruction, students engage in the adjoining Frick Park to explore environmental concepts more deeply and to practice scientific investigation. 
  • ECS develops robust, curriculum-focused partnerships with local organizations that specialize in environmental education and standards-based programming. 
  • Instructional experiences outside of the classroom help to solidify the content knowledge, and build students’ sense of place in the Pittsburgh region. 
  • Currently serves 320 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade from 11 different districts in Allegheny County.  At capacity, ECS will serve students through eighth grade.
About the Environmental Charter school at Frick Park
·         An integrated approach to instruction provides students with a more holistic understanding of the natural, social and built systems that define our community. Using the urban landscape as an extension of the traditional classroom becomes a natural asset to daily instruction, to integration of environment and ecology standards and to the educational experience of every child.
·         Curriculum integration is a curriculum design that promotes organization of curricular outcomes around a significant question or “Big Idea,” and that utilizes the content of many disciplines to provide an authentic educational experience for students.
·         ECS is pioneering the school lunch reform program, and aligns its menu with its mission.  Environmental Charter School Lunch Partners Program, a recognized agreement between ECS and compatible businesses within the Pittsburgh community.  The goal of the ECS lunch program is to provide a healthy, delicious, and sustainable (both agricultural and economic) meal within the guidelines of the National School Lunch Program. Currently, Big Burrito Company, Right by Nature Foods and Buffalo Blues supply lunch to the Environmental Charter School student body once a month, in an effort to provide students with a more diverse menu of food.
829 Milton St.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15218
412-247-7970

Jessica Kester
·         Program Manager for The Outdoor Classroom
·         Has degrees in Biology/Marine Science and Secondary Education/Biology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
·         Began her career as a field instructor in coastal marine sciences at the Marine Science Consortium in Wallops Island, VA were she taught both children and adults in a variety of hands-on labs and field excursions. 
·         Has also taught 3rd-7th grade students from urban and suburban Chicago at the Lorado-Taft Field Campus of Northern Illinois University about general environmental topics and local IL history. 
·         Joined The Outdoor Classroom staff in February 2006.
Mission of the Outdoor classroom
The Outdoor Classroom (formerly the Regional Environmental Education
Center)
·         Provides hands-on, site-based environmental education to southwestern Pennsylvania residents ages 2 through adult.
·         Offers something for everyone, including programs for teachers, students, service groups, government officials, business leaders, and community residents.
  • Opened in the fall of 2004, a site-based environmental education center.
  • Offers events for children, adults, families and community organizations (Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Community Groups), outreach programs available for preschools, retirement/assisted living residences, community groups
  • Mission is to “connect the people of southwestern Pennsylvania with the natural world” through meaningful personal experiences
  • In 2010 the Classroom served 10,000+ individuals both in the park and through outreach programs, 2,500 of those were school students from Allegheny and Washington Counties
For more information about The Outside Classroom click the link below to hear this episode.

Sandy Antoinette
  • She and husband opened The Wild Bird Center in April of 2007.
  • Both graduated from Edinboro, where they met, many years ago. 
  • Husband is a Geologist, by trade and she is an Environmental Scientist. 
  • Have worked in a variety of industries over the years from coal exploration, hazardous waste, worked as a regulator and petroleum remediation.
  • Husband found an old bird identification book, that her dad had given her and after researching various franchises, they found that The Wild Bird Center best matched who they are. 
About The Wild Bird Center of McMurray
  • Family owned and operated retail store that specializes in everything for the backyard bird enthusiast.
  • Carry a large variety of quality bird feeders, special bird food blends (for this area), bird houses, bat houses, duck boxes, a new line of hardware called Polewise (that offers the consumer much creativity in their backyard), bird identification tools, field guides, binoculars and unique gifts (many from American artists).
  • On Saturday May 14th at 8am we will be having a bird walk with Shawn Collins (resident bird guy – he keeps me informed of where all the birds are). 
Wild Bird Center of McMurray, 4080 Washington Road, Suite 108, McMurray, Pa 15317
phone: 724-942-2473, email: mcmurray@wildbird.com, website: www.wildbird.com/mcm
For more information about the Wild Bird Center click the link below to hear this episode.

To hear this episode of Positively Pittsburgh Live in its entirety go to


Delana Flowers is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent writer and owner of Ingenuity by Delana Flowers ©, writing effective copy so you don’t have to. Services include copywriting for newsletters, blogs, ad copy, marketing pieces, articles, reviews, invitations, postcards, flyers and more.

Monday, July 11, 2011

PositivelyPittsburghLive News, July 10, 2011pi




Positively Pittsburgh Live News from July 10, 2011
written from PositivelyPittsburghLive Talkcast by Delana Floers



June 17, July 15 and August 20th, This is a free event!
Bands will be performing at the gazebo on the corner of Broad and Beaver Streets in the center of downtown Sewickley from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on three Friday nights this summer. Bring a chair or blanket for a night of impressive music performed by some of the area’s brightest musicians! Go to http://positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=1080.0 for more information.

PSIP ANNOUNCES MERRY WIVES AND RETURN OF “BYOB!
Please join us for these BYOBs (Bring Your Own Bard) through June. BYOB serves as a warm-up for PSIP’s free summer production of MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, a comedy hilariously exploring the themes of marriage, cuckoldry, and revenge will run FREE in city parks in September. Go to http://positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=819.0 for more information.


SEEN AND UNSEEN: PATTERNS OF LIGHT
July & August, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Sewickley Herald Office, Free!
This exhibit of oils and pastels will display light as it falls on form. The magic of following light as it appears and disappears and the energy that it produces in the psyche becomes a passionate journey to tell that tale. Judy Mattei is a Pittsburgh area artist who has exhibited locally and nationally and received many awards for her work.


Positively Pittsburgh Live Partner Event:
SPARK & HUSTLE SMALL BUSINESS BOOT CAMP
Monday, Oct. 24, the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Conference for Women announces an additional day of programming specifically designed for current and aspiring small business owners. Go to http://positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=1182.0 for more information.


To hear this episode of Positively Pittsburgh Live in its entirety go to:

Delana Flowers is a multi-talented creative. She is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, a dynamic vocalist, an amazing Actress, and an independent writer. Delana is owner of Ingenuity by Delana Flowers ©, writing effective copy so you don’t have to. Services include copywriting for newsletters, blogs, ad copy, marketing pieces, articles, reviews, invitations, postcards, flyers and more.


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Pittsburgh City Parks Interview with Dick Skrinjar, Director Community Services, Pittsburgh City Parks




Find all this information and more at:



Positively Pittsburgh Live! 6-27-11
Pittsburgh City Parks

Sometimes you just don't know what you have. Tonight you will find out that the City of Pittsburgh Parks system is one of the largest and finest in the country for a city of its size.

Today’s Guest
Dick Skrinjar, Director Community Services Pittsburgh Citiparks and Recreation

Dick is:
  • Nationally recognized and an award winning expert in fields of Communications, Marketing and Opinion Research
  • Experienced in Transportation, Government & Public Policy, Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Consumer and Political Campaigns and Active Healthy Aging
  • A writer, Producer, Director
  • A central figure in planning, design, construction of over $5 billion worth of public infrastructure.
  • A specialist at staying on track and moving in the right direction regardless of what the distractions.
The Seven Factors Of Excellence Are:
  1. A clear expression of purpose
  2. An ongoing planning and community involvement process - Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
  3. Sufficient assets in land, staffing, and equipment to meet the system’s goals
  4. Equitable access
  5. User satisfaction                                         
  6. Safety from crime and physical hazards
  7. Benefits for the city beyond the boundaries of the park
To hear Dick’s interview and his answers to questions like:
  • What was the city’s approximate total level of private donations for parks?
  • What is the acreage you own (and/or control) within the city limits, broken down into three categories: natural areas (including water acreage), designed areas (including water acreage), undeveloped areas (land not yet open to the public)?
  • How many acres, if any, do you operate in joint use with a school district?
  • How much did your agency spend in the past fiscal year, including maintenance, programming, capital construction, and land acquisition?
  • Is your park-and-recreation plan integrated into the full city-wide comprehensive plan?
  • Does the agency have an official citizen advisory board or similar community involvement mechanism that meets regularly?     

CITY GEARS UP FOR ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED SUMMER      
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today that the City is gearing up for another action-packed summer. Free copies of the 2011 Citiparks Summer Magazine are now available at various locations throughout the City, providing easy information on the City's 2011 schedule of summer events such as community festivals, competitions, and family activities like movie and jazz nights in the parks. The 60-page booklet also includes reference materials such as City facility lists and phone numbers. Information and schedules for Citiparks programs and events are also available by visiting www.Citiparks.net or by calling 412-255-2539.
City Parks Summer Magazine includes information on the following:


  • Swimming Pools and Spray Parks
  • Farmers' Markets opening
  • Schenley Oval Sportsplex
  • Riverview Park Soccer Complex
  • Regional Parks
  • Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
  • Cycling, Disc Golf, Lawn Bowling, Skateboarding
  • Off-Leash Exercise Area, Trails, Picnic Shelters
  • Competitions, Activities, Events


Citiparks three major facilities
* Frick Environmental Center
* Schenley Park Skating Rink (and miniature golf)
* Mellon Park Tennis Center

To hear this episode of Positively Pittsburgh Live in its entirety go to:


Delana Flowers is a multi-talented creative. She is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, a dynamic vocalist, an amazing Actress, and an independent writer. Delana is owner of Ingenuity by Delana Flowers ©, writing effective copy so you don’t have to. Services include copywriting for newsletters, blogs, ad copy, marketing pieces, articles, reviews, invitations, postcards, flyers and more.

House and Garden: Success times two One cast on two stages equals double the odds to overcome…at once




House and Garden: Success times two
One cast on two stages equals double the odds to overcome…at once
Review by Delana Flowers, Roving Pittsburgher, Reporter

The cast and crew of House and Garden by Alan Ayckbourn presented by the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, deserve a standing ovation for successfully managing two shows simultaneously without any sign of disconnection from either audience or breakdown in communication with each other or technical failure of any kind. Directed by Andrew S. Paul (House) and Melissa Hill Grande (Garden) at the Stephen Foster Memorial, these productions give opportunity to explore marriage, family, community and the effect each of these have on each other as the decisions of each character affect all other characters in some way. These affects are to varying degrees but no less evident, reminding us that theater is an imitation of real life: our individual choices impact some lives more than others, but impact others nonetheless.

The affluent may have better homes and gardens but this may just mean fancier settings for the kind of behavior expected from the not so well to do.  Money can’t buy happiness and certainly doesn’t spare those who have it from infidelity, insanity, heartlessness or selfishness. But “that’s  life, I suppose,” says the Platts.

Teddy Platt (Martin Giles) is torn between family legacy and his failure to carry it on. His wife Trish (Helena Ruoti) is caught between family tradition and self-assertion. And this is only part of the chaos in the Platt House and surrounding village. Every relationship encountered is dysfunctional, from the teenagers Sally and Jake (Anwen Darcy and Sean Mellott) to the Platt house staff, Izzie, Pearl and Warn (Mary Rawson, Sarah Manton and Jon Farris) to the neighbors, the Maces (David Byron Jackson and Beth Hylton) and the Loves (Michael Fuller and Tressa Glover). The Platt House seems to bring out the worst in everyone, including the guests Lucille Cadeau (Nike Doukas) and Gavin Ryng-Mayne (Leo Marks).

The players portray each character precisely as imagined, both in physical attributes and in personality. This is the mark of a well casted show in my opinion and a display of actors who know how to make good choices about the roles they play. Teddy (Giles) is believably as complicated as he is embarrassingly out of touch. Both Trish (Ruoti) and Gavin Ryng-Mayne (Marks) are prime examples of the holographic nature of our being: seeing the same person from a different angle can alter our perception of them. Joanna Mace (Hylton) gives a disturbing visual of a woman scorned while Sally (Anwen) gives us the typical teenaged, self-centered, brat with the addition of a natural affinity for politics.

Though the issues addressed in these productions are quite serious, the comic relief sprinkled throughout comes across as natural and not as ridiculous attempts at humor.

The set of House is so well constructed that it gives the illusion of an abode as peaceful as it is beautiful. The walls painted to match the blue sky beyond the glass front, French doors has a calming effect, that is, until the space is darkened by the revealing of the character’s flaws. Mrs. Platt opens the doors to let in the sunlight and the house is illuminated shedding light on the storm brewing within.

Hope springs eternal but the fountain in the Platt garden does not spring much at all. The focal point of Garden’s set, the fountain is the perfect symbol of lives clogged by inner and outer conflict: selfishness versus selflessness, apathy versus empathy, legacy and tradition versus autonomy. If the fountain could talk, there would be much to say about human frailty. Granted a glimpse at this frailty, we sit in the midst of this lovely garden, a very impressive outside-in space.

The wonderful thing about these productions is that they can stand alone but they are in my opinion better together. Seeing both House and Garden give a greater appreciation for the inherent difficulties the actors must overcome to play two stages at once.


Delana Flowers is a multi-talented creative. She is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, a dynamic vocalist, an amazing Actress, and an independent writer. Delana is owner of Ingenuity by Delana Flowers ©, writing effective copy so you don’t have to. Services include copywriting for newsletters, blogs, ad copy, marketing pieces, articles, reviews, invitations, postcards, flyers and more.

What is PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com

Because so many of you have asked just what is PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com? 
THE ANSWER
PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com is Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network and also Online Community Magazine.  Producing and Publishing all of the good news about Pittsburgh and its hub areas, it is free to the public to use and advertisers can purchase their own channel or pages.

Positively Pittsburgh Live Magazine
has some New Channels :
On each channel if you scroll down past the description on each of these channels you can watch PositivelyPittsburghTV or listen to PositivelyPittsburghRadio on these individual Pittsburgh syndicated Internet Radio and TV channels.

  • Pittsburgh Italian Food--Videos and Recipes of Food from Tambellini's Italian Ristorante, 7th Ave in Pittsburgh's Cultural District
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  • Tomorrow's Future  Tomorrow's Future Inc. is a mentoring, entrepreneurial and job-training program for teens.
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  • Dreamweaver Marketing Associates News Blog  News blog that posts press releases from friends and fans of PPLMag, DreamweaverMarketing, TechnoGranny and MondayMorningMarketeer shows.
  • Pittsburgh Hair Aware  Hair News from Greg Jockel Hair Colour Dezign in Wexford
Existing Channels:
    30 year veteran Business consultant and                  developer of Price It Perfect Cost Contro
 
 To get your own channel that will set you apart from your competitors as a Pittsburgh syndicated Internet Radio or TV host, contact Publisher and TalkCast host:  Joanne Quinn-Smith at
412-628-5048 and ask about the current yearly special to become a Channel Owner and Syndicated Host on the Pittsburgh Internet Radio and TV Network.
 
Joanne Quinn-Smith
412-628-5048

2009 National SBA Journalist of the Year
AKA TechnoGranny, Talkcast Host
Publisher, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com
2010 Stevie Award Finalist for Best Media Website or Blog

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