Thursday, October 17, 2013

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 10-14-13


Positively Pittsburgh Live News
10-14-13

Co-Host Troubador and Videographer Martin Thomas, Owner 1CamJam and songwriter of "In the Burgh" 

Martin has studied voice, tuba, trombone, baritone horn, upright bass, electric bass, piano as well as jazz and traditional harmony. He has a bachelors degree of Music composition/theory from Ohio University. He also studied abroad at L'institut des Etrangers in Tours, France. 

Recently he has been certified music engineering classes at REC Workshop in Chillicothe, OH and several workshops on the recording industry in Los Angeles.
His post graduation career took him to Los Angeles where his music was recorded and aired on Cinemax and HBO. He also has written several songs recorded by other artists in the US as well as Brazil. He has written the music to a children's musical, "Is There a Fairytale for Our Time?" which was produced at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO. In 1992, he began traveling as a troubadour throughout the southwest including Mexico and Central America. 


He landed in Telluride, CO in 1997 and stayed there, where they dubbed him "Town Troubadour" until 2007 when he moved back to Pittsburgh.

In 1998, however, he began volunteering at the local TV station in Telluride and with that experience, in 2004, he opened his own audio/video studio which he moved to New Kensington in 2007. 
Martin Thomas

From 2007 he has been running the studio commercially while documenting (on video and cds) many Pittsburgh jazz legends of today and tomorrow. The video equipment he uses is a broadcast quality camera/tripod and mics, as well as Mac based Final Cut Pro and or iMovie. The audio is mostly Pro Tools although he also uses analog recording as well. 

He coaches newbies to the industry in music, recording techniques, songwriting, harmony (jazz and traditional), instrumentation, singing, reading & writing music, tuba, trombone, baritone, electric or upright bass.

He can build/help build music beds for children to rap over. (this seems popular everywhere). He is a video superstar, one of the last video artists around who shoots a video so that it needs little editing.


On Tonight's Show: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TECHNOGRANNY? 

POSITIVELYPITTSBURGH SPONSORED EVENTS: Loudin's Rock n Roll Circus, NAWBO Kick off Breakfast

CULTURAL CLUES: Calliope Presents Pittsburgh Songwriters CD Release, Larry the Cable Guy, Broadway and Beyond with Brian Stokes Mitchell at the Symphony, Large Scale Audiovisual Instllations by Kurt Hentschlager, Pittsburgh Opera presents Renee Fleming in recital, Pittsburgh CLO Paint the Town Pink in 2014, Swiss duo Zimmermann & de Perrot, FORGOTTEN-- Hell Unleashed!, Sweet Honey in the Rock 40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR, Peter Pan at Childrens Theater

WOMEN AND GIRLS ADVANCEMENT YWCA Community Week Without Violence, Trailblazing Women of Western Pennsylvania, Girls Thinking Globally, Acting Locally, Positively Pink BRAS FOR THE CAUSE, NAWBO News 1,000 Stories Campaign

BUSINESS BUZZ: Affordable Care Act, Entrepreneurial Thursdays International Ventures

PITTSBURGH HISTORICAL STUFF: They Could Get It For You Wholesale-The History of Pittsburgh's Fifth Avenue Wholesale District, Pittsburgh Forensic Pathologist JFK ASSASSINATION 50 Yrs. LATER

NON-PROFIT EVENTS SPONSORED BY BLACK TIE-PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh Environment & Health Conference, The 3rd Annual SWPA Media & Mental Health Awards, NCJW Designer Days, Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival

NEIGHBORHOOD HI-LIGHTS: Perogie Festival,  IDA Award Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Merit Award for the Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Prague Writers' Festival 

ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT:  Legend of Zelda at Pittsburgh Symphony, Cinco Mexican Restaurant

PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS: Steelers Book Launch, Rock football team sweeps up PSAC, Pittsburgh Sportsline Magazine Launch Event


WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TECHNOGRANNY?
 Last week: Entrepreneurial Thursdays Panel on PR and Media, Cinco Mexican Restaurant, This week: Launch Party for Pittsburgh Sportsline, Oklahoma at Pitt Repertory Theatre



POSITIVELYPITTSBURGH SPONSORED EVENTS

Loudin's Rock n Roll Circus at 565 Live in Bellevue, benefiting Operation Troop Appreciation, Saturday. November 7.

NAWBO Kick off Breakfast to get up close and personal with Rich Fitzgerald, County Executive and find out how the upcoming economic development in Allegheny County can benefit you.


CULTURAL CLUES 

CALLIOPE PRESENTS PITTSBURGH SONGWRITERS CIRCLE CD RELEASE 
Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society welcomes The Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle CD Release to The Roots Cellar, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Shadyside, on Friday, November 1, 2013, 6:30 PM. Doors at 6 PM. Free parking in the PCA lots. 

More information is available online at www.calliopehouse.org or by contacting the Calliope office at (412) 361-1915.
Tickets are $7 at the door. 

Musicians routinely find their audiences while playing out on the local music scene. But there’s another layer of song not bound my commercial considerations, created by amateur and semi-pro songwriters who rarely play out.

Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle will release a 25-song compilation album of songs written by non-professional group members at a CD release event.

Working under the auspices of Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society, the Songwriters Circle conducts a weekly songwriters’ open stage at Bloomfield Bridge Tavern, holds monthly meetings focused on songcraft, places songwriters in front of audiences and produces this annual compilation album series -- now in its ninth year -- to help to nurture regional songwriters and foster community among artists who are compelled to write songs. Since the project started in 2005, 80 local songwriters have participated in this album series.

For more information visit www.pittsburghsongwriterscircle.org and http://calliopehouse.org. Find Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle albums atwww.CDBaby.com.



Larry the Cable Guy - Live at Heinz Hall
January 11, 2014 7:00PM & 9:30PM
Larry the Cable Guy

Purchase your tickets before the general public and SAVE 10%!

As a past Heinz Hall patron, you have access to a special pre-sale offer for Larry the Cable Guy. Beginning Monday, October 14 at 9 AM, click here to purchase tickets with promo code 40747 and save 10%!*



Broadway and Beyond with Brian Stokes Mitchell 
October 17-21
Heinz Hall

Hear the best of Broadway by one of Broadway's best. Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Pittsburgh Symphony for a concert jam-packed with favorite songs from classic Broadway musicals. Click here to purchase tickets! 



PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST’S
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FIRSTS Presents LARGE-SCALE AUDIOVISUAL INSTALLATIONS BY KURT HENTSCHLÄGER IN THE CULTURAL DISTRICT

HIVE | through December 31 | Wood Street Galleries

Granular Synthesis | through October 20 | SPACE


HIVE
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces two large-scale audiovisual installations by Chicago-based, Austrian artist Kurt Hentschläger as part of the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts*. HIVE is open through December 31, 2013, at Wood Street Galleries. Granular Synthesis, created together with Austrian artist Ulf Langheinrich, is open through October 20, 2013, at SPACE.

HIVE is a 3D-animated audiovisual installation in which visitors encounter swirling amorphous human figures appearing as a mass, or hive, rather than as individual beings. The choreographed, projected motion, light, and sound patterns create an immersive audiovisual landscape without a beginning or an end. The computer-generated HIVE takes on a life of its own, creating an artificial organism in perpetual motion. Read the entire release here


Pittsburgh Opera presents Renée Fleming in recital
As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Pittsburgh Opera will present a recital by one of the most beloved and celebrated musical ambassadors of our time. A Western Pennsylvania native, soprano Renée Fleming will give a recital on February 18, 2014, 8:00 p.m., at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Tickets are available exclusively to Pittsburgh Opera season ticket holders until November 15, 2013. 
Renée Fleming
credit Decca/Andrew Eccles
Ms. Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence. At a White House ceremony in July 2013, President Obama awarded Ms. Fleming the National Medal of Arts, America's highest honor for an individual artist. Known as “the people’s diva” and winner of the 2013 GRAMMY® Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo, she continues to grace the world’s greatest opera stages and concert halls, now extending her reach to include other musical forms and media. Over the past few seasons, Ms. Fleming has hosted a wide variety of television and radio broadcasts, including The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series for movie theaters and television, and Live from Lincoln Center on PBS. 

Ms. Fleming’s recital program will be announced at a later date. Tickets to the recital are $40 - $150. Ticket sales open to the public November 18 at www.pittsburghopera.org. For additional information, call 412-281-0912.



Pittsburgh CLO is ready to Cut Loose and Paint the Town Pink in 2014 with a Splashy, Purr-fect Summer Festival of Musicals!
Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the 2014 Summer Season, featuring the big, blonde sensation, Legally Blonde the Musical and the National Tour of Evita, fresh off its hit Broadway engagement. This Season will also include beloved musical theater treasure Singin’ in the Rain, outrageous comedy masterpiece Spamalot, seven-time Tony Award®-winner CATS and the explosive cult film phenomenon turned Broadway powerhouse Footloose, being produced by Pittsburgh CLO for the first time.


“Pittsburgh CLO’s 68th Summer Season will showcase Broadway’s best, including the National Tour of Evita direct from Broadway and four Top 10 musicals from Pittsburgh CLO’s annual Audience Survey,” reports Executive Producer Van Kaplan. “Pittsburgh CLO Season Ticket Holders will experience world-class musical theater right here at home, while saving substantially over single ticket prices and receiving the exclusive benefits that come with every Season Ticket purchase.” Read the entire release here.


Zimmermann & de Perrot

Wed, October 16 @ 8pm
Thurs, October 17 @ 8pm
Fri, October 18 @ 8pm SOLD OUT!
August Wilson Center
Zimmerman and de Perrot
"4 STARS. Boisterous, off-the-wall humour and fizzy, 
rollickingly good entertainment." - The Times

In this trailblazing work directed by the inventive Swiss duo Zimmermann & de Perrot, seven performers inhabit a topsy-turvy world where, at any moment, the ceiling can become a floor, a floor can become a wall, and a door can become a chasm. A gigantic, rotating four-room box is the dizzying place where these loose-limbed actors, dancers, and acrobats dodge falling furniture and tumble their way to acrobatic virtuosity, always with impeccable timing.

From our Friends at the Soul Pitt 
From the creators of "Hellway To Heaven" Oasis Theater Company presents FORGOTTEN… Hell Unleashed!
October 11 – 12, 18 – 19, 24 – 26, 30 – 31 and November 1st


Beginning 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
4944 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207

October 12 – Breast Cancer Awareness Night (Ladies receive $1.00 off ticket price)

October 26 - Steeler's Night
(Men receive $1.00 off ticket price)
Admission is only $10.00. Group rates are available. For more information
and to purchase tickets call: 412.880.7138

You can also visit: www.oasis-theater.com



SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK®
40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
CELEBRATES WITH SOULFUL A CAPELLA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC Byham Theater, Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 8:00 p.m.The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the soulful a capella ensemble, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK®, at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25. For tickets and information, visit www.TrustArts.org, call (412) 456-6666, or in person: Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. 
Sweet Honey In The Rock®. Photo Dwight Carter.
Pictured left to right: Louise Robinson,
Shirley Childress (ASL interpreter),
Nitanju Bolade Casel, Carol Maillard, Aisha Kalil. 
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK’s current six members Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Casel, Shirley Saxton, and Ysaye Barnwell continue their deeply held commitment to create African music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions and bring this music to communities across the U.S. and around the world. Sweet Honey raises her voice in hope, love, justice, peace and resistance and invites her audiences to open their minds and hearts. Read the entire release here.






KIDZ KORNER
Peter Pan
October 20-27
Various Locations
Peter Pan has never been told like this! Seven children retell this classic tale in a way that will enchant audiences. The adventure begins as the children plan to put on a play using whatever they can find in the attic. The children are transformed into the classic characters of Peter Pan right before your eyes. This production encourages children to let their imaginations take “flight” and to create their own adventures.

Childeren's Theater Travels from Downtown Pittsburgh to your community. Click here for a list.



WOMEN AND GIRLS ADVANCEMENT

YWCA enlists the community during the Week Without Violence: October 13-19, 2013
In response to violent crimes across the nation and in the Pittsburgh community, the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is encouraging the public to join its effort to find alternatives to violence during the 18th annual Week Without Violence: October 13-19, 2013.

The Week Without Violence is a signature initiative of the YWCA USA, created nearly 20 years ago, to mobilize people in communities across the United States against all forms of violence, wherever it occurs. The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh joins YWCA’s nationwide hosting local Week Without Violence events that raise awareness about and put an end to violence in all forms.

“Violence should not be the answer to our problems,” said Magdeline E. Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. “As a community, we must come together and look for alternative solutions. That’s what the Week Without Violence is all about. I urge everyone to get involved.”

The objective of the YWCA Week Without Violence is to focus attention on practical, sustainable non-violent alternatives through a week-long series of events. For more information, persons may call 412-255-1466 or go to www.ywcapgh.org.

Click here for details and events. 


Fall Policy Briefing: Girls Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. at the WGF Offices, Landmarks Building
100 W. Station Square Drive, Suite 315, Pittsburgh, PA 15219


From our “Celebrating Women!” gala this November, to our upcoming documentary film “Madame Presidenta: Why Not U.S.?”, WGF is embracing the “think globally, act locally” mantra. This month we invite you to hear from two of our GirlGov alumni as they share their stories about advocating for women locally - and halfway around the world. 

JOIN US TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS: SARAH PESI is currently a student at Chatham University. Sarah has been working for a number of years to pass a bill that she authored, giving stalking and harassment victims who do not know their perputrator the same protections as those offered under PA’s current Protection From Abuse laws. Come hear Sarah’s story, the status of her bill, and how YOU can help get it passed this legislative session! 

LAILA AL-SOULAIMAN is currently a student at the University of Pittsburgh. After losing 15 family members, Laila’s mission is to bring awareness to the violence inflicted on Syrian civilians by a brutal government since a civil war erupted there in 2011. Come to hear her perspective on the Syrian conflict, as an expatriate and young woman, and how she hopes you can get involved, too. Please REGISTER by Friday, October 18th. Space is limited.


From Our Friends at SteelCityLive.com

Windy's Boutique Presents POSITIVELY PINK "BRAS FOR THE CAUSE" 

Bra Decorating Day, Sunday October 20th 1-6 PM @Windy's Boutique 

1903 E Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 
Windy's Boutique is hosting its 1st Annual Fundraiser in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. So get out the glue guns and glitter for this Positively Pink Bra Decorating Event! The Decorated bras will be auctioned off at SAVOY OCT 21st, and 100% of proceeds from the auction go to Susan G. Komen Foundation. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 



Registration is $20 all registrants receive a pink bra and decorating materials from Windy's Boutique, and will decorate/design/customize their bra at the boutique on Sunday Oct. 20th 1-6pm (we can arrange an alternate time for your party if necessary) 

Silent Auction & Soiree, Monday October 21st 6-9 PM @SAVOY 
2623 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 

All bras will be auctioned off at the Silent Auction & Soiree at Savoy Restaurant & Lounge Monday Oct 21st from 6-9pm. 100% of the proceed from the Silent Auction will go to Susan G. Komen Foundation!  Click here for more details. 


NAWBO News

1,000 Stories Campaign: Tell Your Business Start-up Story 
NAWBO's media partner The Story Exchange, a global video project empowering women to start their own businesses, is looking for women entrepreneurs to tell their start-up stories. They are interested in women who have businesses, social enterprises or non-profits as well as sole proprietors from around the world. They want to know why you started and what you hope to achieve. All stories will appear on the website. Submit your story
.



BUSINESS BUZZ

Oct 18 - Affordable Care Act: 
Key Factors for Making a Profitable Decision for Small Businesses
Price: $25 
Duquesne University, Rockwell Hall Room 108
TWO SESSIONS: 10:30-12:30 or 1-3

Employers face a multitude of challenges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which fundamentally changes the landscape for employer sponsored health insurance. Businesses must understand, navigate, and adapt to a changing, complex, and uncertain marketplace for health benefits. Although the Affordable Care Act does not require companies to provide employee health insurance, business owners should pay special attention to the law's financial and labor implications. 
Topics in this panel session will include: 

· An Update of the Marketplace (Exchange) and its Pros and Cons · The Importance of Offering Coverage
· Essential Health Benefits Impact on Early Renewals
· SHOP 2014 Single Option Availability and Impact
· Explaining ACA to Employees
· Complying with New IRS Requirements and Tax Credits


"Jessica Lee's Entrepreneurial Thursdays"

Musical Networking Happy Hour, EVERY THURSDAY!!! Cover Charge: Only $5.00
Vocalist Jessica Lee & Friends, Little E's Jazz & Blues Club,949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 2nd Floor above Mahoney's Restaurant, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Pre-show networking session at 5:30 pm. Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs! Live music starts at 6:00 pm.


Jessica Lee
October 17, 2013: "International Ventures"

Featuring interviews with: 
o Co-host Brent Rondon, MPA, Certified Global Business Professional(CGBP) - Manager, GLOBAL Business Program, Manager, Pittsburgh Immigrant Entrepreneurs (PIE), Small Business Development Center (SBDC) www.sbdc.duq.edu 

o Wilfred Muskens, Deputy Secretary for International Business Development, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania www.newpa.com/international

o Greg Spencer, President and CEO of Randall Industries. Chemical manufacturer. http://www.randall-industries.net/


o John Tondra, President and CEO of Blue Moon Lites. Toy light manufacturer. http://kinderglo.com 



PITTSBURGH HISTORICAL STUFF

They Could Get It For You Wholesale: The History of Pittsburgh's Fifth Avenue Wholesale District, 1880s-1980s 

Sun., Nov. 3, 2013 | 1 - 3 p.m.


Join the Ruah Jewish Archives and the Lev Society to learn about wholesale houses on "the Avenue." This special event is free. Please RSVP in advance. Click here for details.


RENOWNED PITTSBURGH FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
SPEAKS WITH WQED ABOUT JFK’S ASSASSINATION 50 YEARS LATER
Fifty Years: JFK Assassination Premieres Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV 

NEW AMERICAN EXPERIENCE SPECIAL PREMIERES
IN CONJUNCTION WITH 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT’S ASSASSINATION
American Experience: JFK 

Well known for his criticism of the Warren Commission’s theory that the 35th President of the
United States was assassinated by a single bullet, former Allegheny County Coroner and renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht will sit down with WQED to discuss his findings in observance of the semicentennial of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963. 
To view the full release click here.
Premieres Monday and Tuesday, November 11-12 at 9:00 p.m. on WQED-TV


NON-PROFIT EVENTS SPONSORED BY

BLACK TIE-PITTSBURGH
The 3rd Annual SWPA Media & Mental Health Awards 
October 24, 2013 6:00-8:30 PM The Heinz History Center
Enjoy an Evening with Keynote Speaker Brian Cuban

Lawyer, Activist, Talk Show Host, Author of "Shattered Image" and Pittsburgh native Brian Cuban will discuss his personal and inspiring triumph over addiction, clinical depression, and eating disorders linked to his diagnoses of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and how the media can play an important role in elevating the behavioral health conversation.

The SWPA Media & Mental Health Awards honor accurate media coverage of mental health issues within television, radio, print and online media in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

RSVP by Thursday, October 17th to reserve your complimentary seat. Seating is limited.

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Brozek Scott at sbscott@eiconline.org or 412-486-2151.



Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program and Women for a Healthy Environment Present the Pittsburgh Environment & Health Conference
The Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program (PSFP) and Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) are co-presenting the Pittsburgh Environment & Health Conference on Friday, October 25, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The conference is designed to explore the connections between the environment and health that ultimately affect local communities.
Click Here to Read More


Chester Engineers CEO Leadership Series in Association with the African-American Leadership Institute Presents Mr. Robert Benmosche, President and CEO, American International Group, Inc. as its keynote speaker.


NCJW Designer Days
NCJW Designer Days returns November 7-10th with fantastic new and gently-used designer and better brand clothes for women, men and children.

Please be our guest at “We’ve Come a Long Way Ladies” Patron Event on November 7th from 6-9 p.m. as we celebrate reinvention in a modern context.


Patron Event Honorary Chair: Kiya Tomlin, Chair: Bear Brandegee, Designer Days Chair: Henry Krakovsky

Patron Event Honorary Committee: Laurie Gottlieb, Claire Gross, Jeff Herzog, Jennifer Honig, Carolyn Jensen, Jill Loiben, Drue Miller, Jessica Mirowitz, Melanie Querry, Kerry Parker, Bonnie Rubin, Barbara Shafran, Maxine Shepman, Shayne Souleret, Roxanne Wolk
New this year at the Patron Event only: Mini Boutiques by four local designers: Kiya Tomlin, Kelly Lane, Emy Mack and Sandra Cadavid


Funds raised during the sale will support NCJW programs and services including our new Center for Women. 


Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival 
Friday, October 25th, 2013 6-9 PM  Rivers Casino, $101* PURCHASE TICKETS HERE 


We highly recommend arriving a little early to take advantage of an available 5pm check-in time. Your ticket will be scanned, and you will be allowed to hang out in the casino before the doors open. No standing in line for you!

*One dollar from every ticket purchase will go directly to our beneficiary, Team Tassy. Team Tassy’s mission is to eliminate poverty in Haiti, one family at a time, and unleash the power in every person to make a difference.

To make an even bigger difference, please consider adding a couple of dollars to your ticket purchase to fund Team Tassy. You will have the opportunity to donate more during the ticket purchase process. Please, please, please do so. It takes only so little to improve the lives of so many. For more info on how your donation will help, visit Team Tassy’s website.



 NEIGHBORHOOD HI-LIGHTS

PIEROGIES GALORE DURING FIRST FESTIVAL
Kevin Sousa will be one of several chefs at the city's inaugural Pierogi Festival, held Oct. 26 in South Shore Riverfront Park. Get the stuffed dumplings from vendors serving new and old takes, including Cop Out Pierogies, whose “pie-rogies” are pictured; attendees can weigh in
 Photo by Laura Petrilla
on their favorite vendor for the People’s Choice contest. 

When you're done eating, create a canvas painting of the iconic food or sway to the sounds of Good Brother Earl and other bands scheduled to perform. It wouldn’t be a true pierogi festival without the Pirates’ Mrs. T’s crew, which will be present for a few hours. All proceeds from the event will go to Riverlife to use toward the upkeep of South Shore Riverfront Park.


IDA Award

Last week the International Downtown Association hosted its World Congress and 59th Annual Conference in New York City. At that conference, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership was presented with two Downtown Achievement awards.

The first award was the Pinnacle Award, presented for the Paris to Pittsburgh Sidewalk Activation and Facade Improvement Program. This program of the PDP, begun in 2007, has approved more than 50 projects and completed 43 projects. The total investment in completed projects is $2,057,580, which has leveraged nearly two times the amount of private investment for every philanthropic dollar invested. The great majority of Downtown restaurants featuring outdoor dining elements have been recipients of this program. Colcom Foundation has generously supported this program since it's inception.


The second award presented was a Merit Award for the Peoples Gas Holiday Market. The market was introduced by the PDP to Market Square in November of 2012. The market was open for 30 consecutive days drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors into Downtown Pittsburgh. The Holiday Market featured vendors of handcrafted and imported gift items, daily entertainment and Santa’s Downtown Pittsburgh home, which benefited the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank with nearly $25,000 in donations and several truckloads of non-perishable food donations. The Market will once again enliven Market Square for one month beginning on November 23, 2013.

“The PDP received these prestigious awards for demonstrating excellence in downtown management”, said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “Each year the IDA Awards Jury honors the very best programs and projects in each category to recognize great work and most importantly to set the standard for best practice in our industry. The PDP continues to set a wonderful example for all downtowns to emulate.”

Prague Writers' Festival 

The Prague Writers' Festival is coming to Pittsburgh! Point Park University will be hosting the festival on October 18-19, 2013. The Prague Writers’ Festival is an opportunity for many international writers to come together and share their original works each spring in Prague.

The Pittsburgh assembly of the Festival will feature and celebrate many international writers, poets, historians, and journalists, holding special reading sessions throughout the two-day event. Special guest E.L. Doctorow, an award-winning author, will be attending to deliver a world premiere reading from his latest novel, Andrew’s Brain.
The opening event will be held on Friday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. The second reading will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. In addition, special sessions and conversations with authors and historians will be held during the two days. For more details on the Festival, visit the official Prague Writers' Festival website.


ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT 

Legend of Zelda at Pittsburgh Symphony 
Gamers Dress Up and Interact with Symphony Fans at Legend of Zelda by Joseph Budd Smith III

Each part focused on a different game in the franchise and incorporates key musical elements from each of those games as well as HD footage of gameplay. The games focused on were A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, and Windwaker. A pleasant mixture of sight and sound that touched every heart associated with the kingdom of Hyrule was enjoyed by both symphony fans and gamers. Read the full review here.


Cinco Mexican Restaurant 
(412) 319-7772 1600 Painters Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243-1640 
www.5cinco5.com/

What a hidden gem that we would not have found out about if they were not part of the Pittsburgh Trade Alliance where PPL Mag is also a member, that's a trade and barter organization in Pittsburgh. Thank you Sandeep for mentioning it.

We went there en masse so to speak took my publishers Joyce Faulkner and Pat McGrath Avery. Now Pat is from Texas and Joyce is a Mexican cooking amateur officianado and also EmpressofBiz, JoAnn Forrester was with us and TechnoGranny and we are definitely gourmet eaters although not familiar with "real" homecooked Mexican food. This was our ladies day out so we turned it into a tasting where everyone could try everyone else's food. Joyce did not share her Chile Relenos, however. Our thought they were too good and she was just not sharing. But we started out with guacamole which was definitely fresh tasting and way above average. But we also had as a starter what we would call Queso fundido. Queso fundido means "melted cheese", but cheese is only one part of the mix in this rich appetizer. It is like a spicy fondu, or more like the topping on the best plate of nachos you've ever had. This also had ground Mexican-style chorizo sausage. Yum!


For our salad we had a Mango and spring mix with grilled chicken, the chicken was perfection. And Pat did share her amazing enchilladas with verde sauce. You could have red, verde or mole sauces on whatever you ordered. TechnoGranny had pork stewed in red sauce which cut tenderly with a fork, outstanding. Oh and did I mention the caldo with red broth and chicken which I cannot pronounce, you can't get this at Taco Bell, that's for sure. And we topped it off with Sopapillas which TechnoGranny and EmpressofBiz had never had. These are best described as Crispy Mexican flatbread, deep fried and golden brown, but it melts in your mouth and was covered with vanilla ice cream and honey. Did we mention that even though we rolled out the door, everything was amazing and the bill for this "tasting" for four was under $80.00 Think of it, soups, appetizers, ala cart appetizers and four entrees. By the way TG took two bags full of leftovers and one of her adult sons raved at the leftovers.



PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS 

Steelers Book Launch - 'Their Life's Work: The Brotherhood of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers, Then and Now' 
Wed., Oct. 30, 2013 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. 
Attend the national launch of a new book focusing on the Pittsburgh Steelers, featuring a panel with Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris, Dan Rooney, and Andy Russell.


Raise It
Hats off to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before the season started, manager Clint Hurdle was asked if he thought they could break the streak of losing seasons. His response? "WE'RE GOING TO WIN 95 GAMES." Of course, the national press thought he was a mad man. But the city rallied behind the Buccos as they proved the world wrong, winning 94 regular-season games - just one short of Hurdle's prediction - and thrilling everyone with some great October baseball. Congratulations to the Buccos who gave an amazing accounting of themselves this year. We can't wait to see what the 2014 Bucs have in store for us

Rock football team sweeps up PSAC-West weekly honors
In recognition of its 42-16 win last Saturday over previously unbeaten and No. 7-ranked Indiana (Pa.), Slippery Rock University scored a sweep of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division football Athlete of the Week honors awarded Sunday by the conference office.

Senior quarterback Nigel Barksdale earned the Offensive Athlete of the Week honor for the second consecutive week and third time in the first six weeks of the 2013 season by engineering a 676-yard total offense effort against the nation’s top defensive unit.

The entire Rock defensive unit, meanwhile, earned this week’s Defensive Athlete of the Week honor by holding IUP, which entered the game averaging 204 rushing yards a game, to only 59 yards on 28 carries.

Barksdale completed 27 of 38 pass attempts for 425 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 68 yards and one TD on 17 carries and also caught a 24-yard flea-flicker pass to finish the day with 517 all-around yards.
Dutrieuille
Behind Barksdale’s leadership, The Rock recorded the highest total offense and passing yardage totals ever allowed by an IUP defense. Prior to last Saturday, when The Rock had 449 passing yards, the top marks against the Crimson Hawks’ tradition-rich defense were 659 total yards by Texas A&M-Kingsville in a 1994 national semifinal game and 438 passing yards by California, Pa. in 2012.

Three players shared team-high tackle totals for The Rock defense. Senior linebacker Gary Allen made seven tackles and recovered a fumble, redshirt junior strong safety Isaiah Coleman had seven tackles and forced a fumble and redshirted senior nose guard Tony Papley made seven stops, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

Junior defensive end Matt Peacock recorded a quarterback sack, redshirt senior cornerback Brandon Burley picked off an IUP pass, junior free safety Austin Miele forced a fumble and redshirt senior cornerback Anthony Saunders broke up four passes to account for other highlights in The Rock’s defensive effort.

As a unit, The Rock defense recorded six tackles for loss, forced two fumbles and broke up 12 passes.

The Rock look to ride the momentum of last Saturday’s emotional win over their arch-nemesis into Saturday’s SRU Homecoming game against Clarion. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.






STEELTOWN HERO 

Coro staff member among 40 Under 40 Honorees
Branden Ballard has been named among the 2013 40 Under 40 Awardees by Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP. Branden is the Manager of Recruitment of Public Allies Pittsburgh, an AmeriCorps program that is in partnership with the Coro Center for Civic Leadership. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Branden ventured to Pittsburgh to further his education at the University of
Branden Ballard
Pittsburgh and has made it his home since. Branden holds a Bachelors of Art in Social Sciences from Pitt and a Masters of Art in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.


Branden currently serves as President of the Urban League Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh. He was named as one of the recipients of the 2010 Fab 40 under 40 Awards from the New Pittsburgh Courier, a Public Service Award recipient from Champion Enterprises Pittsburgh (2012) and was recently named a Rising Star (2013) by Baker Leadership. Branden also served as a Pittsburgh delegate at the One Young World Conference in Zurich, Switzerland in 2012 and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.


This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2013 All rights reserved.

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Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.

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