Positively Pittsburgh Live

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 1-30-12

2012-02-01T23:06:00.002-05:00

Carnegie Music Hall Hosts Pittsburgh Native Christopher O'Riley on NPR
Popular NPR Show “From the Top” with Pittsburgh’s Own Christopher O’Riley tapes broadcast at Carnegie Music Hall on Tuesday, February 14th at 8 pm.

Christopher O'Riley

"From the Top," the preeminent showcase for young musicians heard weekly on Classical WQED-FM 89.3 comes to the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh to tape a radio broadcast. The popular NPR program, hosted by Pittsburgh’s own acclaimed pianist Christopher O'Riley, will feature the amazing performances and captivating personal stories of extraordinary young classical musicians from across the country. This episode is presented by the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University with local media sponsor Classical WQED-FM 89.3. To purchase tickets, visit www.showclix.com/event/FromtheTop or call 1-888-71-TICKETS. From the Top’s 2011-12 National Tour is sponsored by U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. Read the entire release here.

***

Calling All Kids for PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest

WQED Pittsburgh is kicking off the new year with the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest for students in grades kindergarten through third, a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. 2012 marks the eighteenth year that WQED has offered the Contest to the region and the third year that EQT Corporation is sponsoring WQED’s contest in partnership with West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WV PBS.) Also partnering with WQED this year is Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU) which serves central Pennsylvania. A central website, writeonkids.org, provides information about the Contest and the local enrichment opportunities offered in each station area. Read the entire release here.

***

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents BRIT FLOYD - The British Pink Floyd Greatest Hits World Tour 2012

Brit Floyd

BRIT FLOYD, the new PINK FLOYD tribute show, is coming to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. BRIT FLOYD was created by Chas Cole and Damian Darlington, the long-time producer and musical director of The Australian Pink Floyd Show. The British Pink Floyd Greatest Hits World Tour brings together all the best elements of a real Pink Floyd show: world-class musicians and world-class road crew, together with cutting-edge Floydian animation and new stage production. Tickets are $32.25-$47.25 and may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930. Read the entire release here.

***

Kingsley Association Presents: The Kingsley Awards: Jazz Explosion

February 25, 2012

Doors open at 6:00 pm, Show starts at 7:00 pm
The Hillman Center for The Performing Arts
Shady Side Academy Senior School. 423 Fox Chapel Road

The evening's tribute will pay homage to our local jazz legends, Roger Humphries, Dr. Nelson Harrison and Tony Mowod, as they are honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to the art of Jazz. Read the entire release here.

***

Recipe For Hope Serves Local Celebrities, Cuisine For Cancer Charity
Culinary delights prepared by local celebrities, a pink ‘tini bar, live music and a silent auction will combine to create a memorable evening for a wonderful cause as Hair Peace Charities hosts its seventh annual Recipe for Hope fundraiser. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Mayernik Center on Camp Horne Road, located off Parkway North and Route 65. Tickets are limited and are $75 each, available at HairPeace.org, by calling 412-327-5177 or by e-mailing bdiver1@verizon.net.

Hair Peace Charities is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support local women fighting cancer by providing $150 to purchase a wig. Hair Peace offers support through a prayer network and a support circle focusing on healthy options in the long term life battle over cancer.Hair Peace Charities was founded in 2005 by Bonny Diver, a radio personality and a breast cancer survivor.

At Recipe For Hope, local media celebrities will wear aprons while guests mingle and sample their favorite dishes. "It is not a competition but sometimes the celebrities like to show their stuff with Crab Quiche, Kona Crusted Sirloin and Chocolate Hazelnut Ravioli!"

Brenda Waters, Dave Crawley, Rick Dayton – KDKA-TV
Zeke, Ally Butler, Stoney Richards – Y-108
Rick Sebak - WQED
Shelley Duffy, J.R. , Scott Alexander – Star 100.7
Cara Sapida - WPXI
Sheri Van Dyke, Jonny Hartwell – 3WS.
Rick Bergman – KDKA 1020
Gretchen McKay, Doug Oster – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Vinnie Richichi – The Fan
Greg Brown – Pirates Announcer
Tracey Morgan – Butler Radio Networks

There will also be food selections from Kelly O’s Diner, Pretzel Crazy, Donato’s of Fox Chapel and more. Capital Wine and Spirits will mix a pink tini for the event. Wine and Rooney Beer will also be available. Among the items for silent auction will be two tickets from Southwest Airlines, an autographed bat from Pirate Neil Walker, a fox hunting country tour in Sewickley and a weekend at Nemacolin Resort. "Recipe for Hope promises to be a fun and meaningful evening for all of our guests," Diver Hall says. "As a cancer survivor myself, I encourage anyone who has a soft spot in their hearts for women who have undergone cancer treatment to come out and support this premier event."

***

Roving Pittsburgher Report

Cinemark
You know you’ve heard me talk about the Dollar Theatre, but now I need to tout Cinemark on Settlers Ridge. A friend talked me into going and we went to see, “One For The Money!” It was a great comedy/mystery movie with a hunky leading man and the always wonderful Katherine Heigl. Oh the seats! It was like being in your own private theatre, very luxurious and an overall delightful movie. Check out showtimes for Cinemark here.

Pittsburgh’s Best Bakery Party
It rained on Pittsburgh Magazine's Best Bakeries Party. There were about 300 people that attended, despite the rain. What strange weather we’ve been having this winter?! The party was held inside the Google Building in Bakery Square, where else? Some Comments from Meet Up Group, Free and Almost Free in Pittsburgh were “Good acoustic music, good food, elbow to elbow people.

As You Like It at Pittsburgh Public Theatre
I know its Shakespeare and that can turn some people away, but this show was outstanding! We loved the 1900’s period costuming and our favorite character was Rosalind. She was just amazing. It’s such a unique story with the love elements, gender reversals, and twists and turns. You really got the feel of classic theatre, with typical Shakespearean uproarious dialogue and double entendre. It’s crazy, wild, funny, and I recommend giving it a try!

***

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.

Listen to the show here.

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.

Pittsburgh Job Forecast 2012, 1-30-12

2012-01-31T16:56:00.001-05:00

PositivelyPittsburghLive!

Pittsburgh Job Forecast 2012

From city officials to entrepreneurs, there is cautiously optimistic good news about the city of Pittsburgh. You have heard the Business Forecast and the Cultural Forecast for 2012, now let's talk about the Pittsburgh Jobs Forecast.

Guests:

Bill Peduto, Pittsburgh City Councilman
Danielle Cuomo, President of Virtual Assist USA and nominee for the Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

This show was sponsored by Hair Peace Charity's Recipe of Hope happening on February 11th.

Bill Peduto

William Peduto is serving his third term as a Member of Pittsburgh City Council. On City Council he chairs the Committee on Finance and Law. As the representative of Council District 8, he has the opportunity to help guide Pittsburgh’s new economy while preserving the tightly-knit neighborhoods which make up the district.

In addition to his Council duties, Councilman Peduto serves on several boards which promote economic development and culture throughout the region, including the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, and Pittsburgh’s chapter of CEOs for Cities. He has spoken at conferences around the country on Pittsburgh’s green renewal and the use of technology to advance government efficiency and transparency. He also serves as the Pennsylvania state chair of the Democratic Municipal Officials, a constituency organization of the Democratic National Committee.

He has sponsored several worthwhile programs to encourage a New Pittsburgh. The projects he has sponsored include the Sprout Fund Mural Project, Civics 101 for Artists, Guyasuta Young Professional Government Fellowship Program, Pittsburgh Pride Festival, Silkscreen Asian-American Film Festival, Opportunities for Hillside Protection, Information and Communication Technologies Working Group, Government Space Utilization Study, Pittsburgh’s Green Government Action Plan, and Pittsburgh’s Preserve America designation.

William Peduto earned his BA from Penn State University. He operated a political consulting business throughout 25 counties of western Pennsylvania. He served as general consultant, campaign manager, finance director and other roles for over one dozen Democrat candidates and elected officials. At 28, he served as western PA political director for then acting Governor Mark Singel. He has worked on Capitol Hill through a deputy press secretary internship and inside the beltway as a campaign analyst with a political research firm. In addition, Peduto worked throughout high school and college as a busboy, road crew laborer, disc-jockey, Deputy Coroner, ski store clerk, and sidewalk painter. While growing up, he spent 10 years delivering the Pittsburgh Press.

Danielle Julia Cuomo, owner of business services firm Virtual Assist USA, is an award-winning entrepreneur and author. Virtual Assist USA offers a modern altenative to staffing for small and medium sized businesses, allowing companies to have instant access to 100s of different skill sets, instant productivity and cost-savings.

Danielle’s creative and innovative approach to business garnered her many awards, such as the Top 10 Businesses to Follow on Twitter, Athena Young Professionals Award, Web of Trust Award, Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest and Business Journals Women of Distinction.

Her ground-breaking company, Virtual Assist USA, was named as one of the largest management consulting companies in Pittsburgh by it’s 2nd year in business. Danielle founded Virtual Assist USA after leaving a successful career with ESPN and a nationwide IT consulting form. With a multi-faceted business model, Virtual Assist USA has served thousands of small businesses.

In addition to working with Virtual Assist USA, Danielle serves on the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is active in the Institute for CEO Focus, US Chamber of Commerce and Allegheny HYP Club. She is an ongoing Advisor for Reese International and was a featured entrepreneur for Chatham’s Center for Women’s Leadership.

She has authored two business books: Inspired Entrepreneurs (co-author) and How to Wheel and Deal in High Heels.

She has been sought out to speak on topics of business development and media strategies for the CBS Business Network, Woman’s World, Pop City, Small Business Radio and Home Business Magazine. Danielle has led presentations for small business owners titled: “Am I Google-able?” and “Everything You Need to Know About Social Media.”

Danielle is a graduate of Penn State University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s in Business Administration.

Danielle believes in the power of small businesses and the American dream and says “Small businesses are the lifeline of America. I hope to continue to contribute by making my client’s dreams come true, which is the most rewarding of all.”

Danielle lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she spends her free time gourmet cooking, reading political biographies, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, outdoor activities and trying to visit every place on her Bucket List.

***

Bill: Pittsburgh has gone from an industrial focused region to a medical, education, research, and financial backed region. As Andrew Carnegie said - Diversify or Die. And we have done that quite well.

In my district alone I have four major universities in Carlow, Pitt, CMU, and Chatham and huge medical organizations such as UPMC in Oakland, Hillman Cancer Center, Shadyside Hospital, and West Penn Hospital.

There are opportunities at these places from PHD to GED level people to create a career. City government helps by expanding these institutions and improving the quality of life in the neighborhoods in which they exist.

We work in zoning, planning, and create community based development, to let the growth happen, but with a plan. We want to be flexible and adaptive, understand the critical need for quality neighborhoods and regional economic opportunities.

A current goal is to work with officials at UPMC to hold job fairs, job information programs, and seminars helping people that have a high school diploma learn about work options. We want the people who live right in these neighborhoods, that may not be the most highly educated, to understand that there are jobs available for them.

The transformation of East Liberty from 1998 to today has been an ongoing project for us. The community plan started in 1998, everyone was in charge, putting down things they wanted to see. A written plan came together and went though the governments and the first change was when Whole Foods moved in to the area. These types of plans are what we do; helping areas in the City bring in new businesses, create jobs, and improve the quality of its residents.

Just a note on the reassessments: some of the areas hardest hit weren't the most affluent (Morningside, Bloomfield). Many of these have a senior population without access to Internet tools. We announced today we are creating a program to do government house calls and hold community meetings to help these individuals understand their assessments. We are offering free legal assistance and hope that this one stop shop will give people the chance to challenge their assessment if they so choose.

You can contact Bill at www.billpeduto.com

Danielle: Businesses are turning to Virtual Assistants in the recession because they are more cost-effective than employees or even staffing, often reducing costs by up to 35% and increasing efficiency. Virtual Assist USA offers over 100 skill sets at the tip of your fingertips. The largest VA team in the US, Virtual Assist USA, is able to step right in and get to work-- as opposed to employees who often need a ramp-up period of as much as 6 months. Virtual Assist USA even sends weekly Score Cards to clients to keep them up to date on the metrics and growth of their companies. This is something no other firm does.

The job outlook has brightened in December and January as higher consumer spending, improved business confidence and a stock market rally have somewhat eased concerns. Small firms, particularly start-ups, typically account for two-thirds of the new jobs created in a recovery.

The majority of our employees are in Pittsburgh (29). Our staff can offer pure productivity, unlike a standard employee, because you only pay our staff for actual time worked. There aren't those gray areas of bathroom or coffee breaks or personal calls.

We also have employees (6) across the country, mainly in the West Coast, to help with clients in different time zones. I love the great Pittsburgh worth ethic. My parents are my biggest inspiration, both blue collar workers who told me to go for it. We do have plans to expand, with hopes to have 50 employees by the end of this year. We aspire to hire all new staffers from the Pittsburgh area.

This is a great place to start a business. I just read in Entrepreneur Magazine that it is actually the 9th best place in the country. 2012 is going to be a great year to get out there and find a job or start a business. Remain positive.

You can contact Danielle at www.VirtualAssistUSA.com or djc@virtualassistusa.com

***

Bonnie Diver: Executive Director and Founder of Hair Peace (show sponsor)

I've been in radio for 25 years, started in Ohio, came to 3WS in 1993 and now I love Pittsburgh and want to stay here. I was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago at age 46 and realized people need to be reminded to do mammograms and self exams and that was my original mission. I wanted to talk to women about changing their attitude from a walk of fear to a walk of faithfulness, towards life.

My surgeon encouraged me to raise money through my mission and that's when I created Hair Peace. When you go through chemotherapy, you usually lose your hair within 14 days and most insurance companies don't cover the cost of a wig.

Hair Peace provides $150 for any local woman going through chemo, to help with the purchase of a wig. I also speak to these women, survivor to survivor, and support them in faith and conversation. We hold support groups once a month and bring in speakers to really teach people how to fight cancer.

We are holding Recipe for Hope on February 11th where we will showcase 18 celebrities (Radio, TV, PG) that will bring in their own food and cook for us. We will be able to sample all sorts of dishes and meet the celebs, while we drink Pink Martini's. There are auction items, music, fun, and it's a great fundraiser. It is $75 per ticket. Visit www.hairpeace.org for all the details and to order tickets

Next week:
Pittsburgh Entrepreneurial Couples
Also watch for guest and sponsor opportunities, 2012 Editorial Calendar coming soon!

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.

Listen to the show here. 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.

Positively Pitttsburgh Live News 1-23-12

2012-01-25T12:45:00.001-05:00

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
412.392.2217

Jessica Lee

LIVE RHYTHM, JAZZ & BLUES: "Jessica Lee's Entrepreneurial Thursdays"
Musical Networking Happy Hour

EVERY THURSDAY!!! Cover Charge: Only $5.00!
Pre-show networking session at 5:30 pm:
Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs! Live music starts at 6:00 pm.

January 26, 2012: "Collaboration Among Community Development Groups"

Featuring interviews with:
Co-host Thomas J. Donoghue, AIA, LEED AP - DONOGHUE Project Consulting, LLC
Becky Rodgers, Executive Director - Neighbors in the Strip
Marimba Milliones, The Hill CDC (www.hilldistrict.org)
Mark T. Fatla, Executive Director Northside Leadership Conference
Emily Anderson, Project Manager – Neighborhood Policy, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group
Chris Beichner, Executive Director - Mount Washington Community Development Corporation
Josette Fitzgibbons, Mainstreets/Elm Street Coordinator for the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)

***

YWCA seeks nominations for 2012 Tribute to Women Leadership Awards

Do you know an exceptional woman who has made a difference for other women in our community? It’s time to nominate her for a 2012 Tribute to Women Leadership Award. The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is currently accepting nominations through Wednesday, February 8. Read the entire release here.

***

Managing Marcellus: Energy & The Economy

Thursday, January 26 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV

WQED Multimedia continues its partnership with Pop City, Pittsburgh’s Unseam’d Shakespeare Company, Carnegie Mellon’s Program for Deliberative Democracy, and the Coro Center for Civic Leadership on the year-long initiative called Managing Marcellus. Hosted by WQED’s Michael Bartley and Tonia Caruso, the forum will utilize a diverse panel to discuss Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania.

Confirmed panelists include:

Dennis Yablonsky, Allegheny Conference CEO

Michael Krancer, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary

Tom Murphy, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research Co-Director

Matt Pitzarella, Range Resources Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

The public and viewers are invited to join the conversation via e-mail at managingmarcellus@wqed.org; Facebook® and Twitter® @MarcellusWQED.
For more information on how to participate or the Managing Marcellus initiative go to www.wqed.org/managingmarcellus

***

National Geographic Live: “Ocean Soul”

with Underwater Photographer Brian Skerry

Sunday, February 12, 2012, at 4:00 p.m

Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Ocean Soul

Voyage across the earth’s oceans with Brian Skerry, one of National Geographic’s most seasoned underwater photographers, and discover a vast, hidden world beneath the waves. Brian Skerry will present his photographic journey and lecture, Ocean Soul, followed by a Q & A session and book signing. This lecture is a part of the National Geographic Live! speakers series*, a part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series, and is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Tickets ($20-$40). Read the entire release here.

***

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust launches The Distinctively Dutch Festival

The Cultural District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 18-May 20, 2012

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, a nonprofit arts and economic development organization at the center of Downtown Pittsburgh’s revival, will host an array of U.S. and world premieres as part of an interdisciplinary arts festival: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Distinctively Dutch Festival. Celebrating the culture and contemporary performing and visual arts from the Netherlands, the three-month festival will feature dance, theater, music, visual art, film, literature and architecture. Read the entire release here.

***

The I Made It Market

Southside Works

510 S. 27th Street and Sidney Street

The I Made It! Market will pop into the SouthSide Works on Saturday, February 4th from 12 - 5 pm for a special marketplace just in time for Valentine’s Day. Shop from more than 50 local artisans who have created truly unique and often one of a kind gifts that will be sure to warm the hearts of those you love. Find us inside the corner space formerly housing Joseph Beth Booksellers at 510 S. 27th Street (across from Sur La Table). For more information, or to learn about our artists, visit www.imadeitmarket.com.

***

UNCOMMON
February 3-12, 2012
August Wilson Center

Uncommon presents a new, world premiere work by Dwight Rhoden, Chromatic, as well as Brahm’s Quintet by Dennis Nahat and Maelstrom by Mark Morris. Audiences will be treated to an experience that will challenge any predetermined ideas regarding the relationship between classical composition and ballet. Read the entire release here.

***

Bakery's Best Party

January 28, 2012 From Free and Almost Free in Pittsburgh Meet UP

6425 Penn Avenue, 1:00 pm-4:00pm

1st floor entrance to the Google Building, Bakery Square

Enjoy a FREE family-friendly afternoon featuring samples from the city's best bakeries, live local music, cold brews, and more! Learn the winners of Pittsburgh Magazine's Best Bakeries Readers' Poll before the February issue hits the stands, and cast your vote on-site for the People's Choice Award after sampling sweet treats from local bakeries. Open to the public, all ages event, free parking in the Bakery Square garage.

***

Small, Minority & Women Business Expo

March 28, 2012
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA

Calling all minority business enterprises (MBE), women business enterprises (WBE), disadvantaged businesses (DB), veteran owned businesses (VOB), and service disabled veteran owned (SDVO) businesses in the state of Pennsylvania.

The Department of General Services, Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities invites you to attend the “Small, Minority & Women Business Enterprise Expo” to obtain information on contracting processes, best practices, and programs that support your business. The Expo is being held in an effort to provide information to contractors and subcontractors on contracting opportunities with federal, state, and city agencies.

The Expo will be hosted by Mayor Linda D. Thompson, City of Harrisburg, and co-sponsored by the Naval Supply Systems Command, the PA Departments of General Services and Public Welfare.

More information and registration details will be available soon. Visit the Bureau of Minority & Women Business Opportunities at www.dgs.state.pa.us/bcabd

***

Food Network Seeks Food Entrepreneurs

Are you bravely ditching your day job to pursue your passion of launching your own food business with no culinary training?

Casting Call: A new Food Network series is looking for food entrepreneurs for a new show with Bobby Flay! Specifically, the network is seeking people who have left their previous career to start a new restaurant (or similar business). Details here.

***

7th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Dinner
We hope the new year finds you in good health and in good spirits. Celebrate & Share would like to remind you to mark your calendars for the 7th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Dinner "A Celebration of Women’s History Month," on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Omni William Penn Grand Ballroom in downtown Pittsburgh. This gathering of a veritable ‘who’s who’ in Pittsburgh will honor 23 prominent Women of Achievement from our region and will benefit a worthy cause, Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative.　 If you or your company is interested in joining Title Sponsor and event Chairman, DA Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. as a sponsor of the awards dinner; purchasing tickets or a table; or placing an　acknowledgement ad in the event program book, please call Heather Glaser at 412-322-5680 ext. 5 or view information on the Cribs for Kids National Infant Safe Sleep website: http://cribsforkids.org/event-calendar. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Glaser at hglaser@cribsforkids.org.　

***

Roving Pittsburgher Report

TGI Friday's

We went to TGI Friday's in Robinson and for $10.00 per person (fixed price wars are on) you got an entree and either a dessert or an appetizer. We opted for Florentine, tomato flat bread, mozzarella sticks and potstickers, best potstickers ever! For entrees we had the Chicken Bruschetta Pasta, Fire Dragon Chicken and Jack Daniels Pulled Pork Sandwich. Couldn't believe we got this all for $30!

And there was so much food that my three year old granddaughter just ate off of everyone’s plates and we were all of symphony of the Alka Seltzer commercial, “I Can’t Believe I ate the Whole Thing!” But it was that good. Visit Friday's website here.

Costco

Got to tell you about the taste of Costco thing, they have got the “stuff.” You walk around and try all these amazing things prepared for you and then of course you have to buy them. I went for vitamins, toilet paper and laundry detergent and came home with chicken and cilantro mini wantons, dim sum, turkey chili and black bean salsa, all outstanding. Visit Costco's website here.

NAWBO Meeting

Attended the NAWBO meeting at Piatt Place on "Becoming A Certified Woman Business Owner." About a third of woman business owners attended as Ruth Byrd Smith explained the process and benefits to becoming a Certified WBO. Great information and great networking.
Visit the NAWBO Pittsburgh site here.

***

Pittsburgh Cultural Event Forecast 2012, 1-23-12

2012-01-24T15:09:00.000-05:00

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 1-23-12

“Pittsburgh Cultural Event Forecast 2012”

Guests:
André Kimo Stone Guess, President and CEO, August Wilson Center for African American Culture

Anne Madarasz, Museum Division Director and Director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Senator John Heinz History Center

Kristin Garbarino, Marketing Technology Manager, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

***

André Kimo Stone Guess has been the President and CEO of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture since February of 2010.

André has held positions as vice president and producer, and director of finance and administration at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) from 2000 - 2006. He produced the first three seasons at JALC's new home, Frederick P. Rose Hall.

In 2006, André founded GuessWorks, a management and consulting firm for non-profit institutions and performing artists, based in Montclair, New Jersey. As a consultant, he has worked with many notable arts and cultural institutions and foundations including the Pew Charitable Trusts and New York City Opera.

André is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys) and was the Producer and/or Executive Producer of nine albums, one of which received a nomination for a Grammy. He also served as Executive Producer of two JALC concerts whose "Live from Lincoln Center" broadcasts were nominated for EMMY awards.

The August Wilson Center for African American Culture engages regional and national audiences in its mission of preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating and shaping the art, culture and history of African Americans utilizing the rich history, legacy and culture of African Americans from Western Pennsylvania as a foundation. The Center presents a year-round program of dance, music and theatre along with special visual arts exhibitions and cultivation activities for all ages and backgrounds in its state-of-the-art venue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and throughout the region.

André spoke about the AWC Dance Ensemble which was named among DANCE magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch” in 2012, a pretty amazing feat for a dance ensemble that is only two years old. The ensemble recently collaborated with the Pittsburgh Symphony, bringing a very old, and a very new tradition together. There was a positive reception of the company at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and they just did a sold-out performance called Suite Bill, dancing to all Bill Withers music.

André also spoke about this year’s Continuum. Affrilachia (af-ruh-LAY-shuh) is a term describing African Americans living in Appalachia, and is the theme for the Center’s 2011-12 Continuum, a year-long series of programs tied to a specific theme. “Common Ground: Affrilachia! Where I’m From,” is presented as part of the Continuum. The exhibition runs through March17, 2012 and it celebrates artists from the area of Appalachia, Pittsburgh being right in the heart of that.

This year there are nationally acclaimed playwrights and actors working with AWC Theatre Ensemble: e.g., Anthony Chisolm, Montae Russell, Tony Award-nominated playwright and actor Samm-Art Williams’ “Last of the Line” premiere here.

There will be outstanding performances by Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. A popular Pittsburgh ticket with guest stars from all over the country slated to play.

“Come and check us out,” says André. “So many things are going on all the time. We even have a subsidy program where non-profits can rent our space. We want to be part of a rising tide, a cultural tidal wave, to get people downtown to be a part of the arts. I came from NYC (lived in New Jersey) and now I live in downtown Pittsburgh. I see the energy, the hustle and bustle of this unique place. There is a genuine work ethic here; you can even see that with our sports teams, as well. It is a testament to the level of greatness that emanates from this place. Living here has made me a different and better person, appreciating things more and wanting to work harder. There is no other cultural district like Pittsburgh. I meet with the six other CEOs in the arts world on a monthly basis, nothing like that happens anywhere else. The level of collaboration is unlike any other place, and I’ve been all over the world.”

For more information, please visit www.augustwilsoncenter.org. The Center is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11-6 and admission is free.It is located at 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 412-258-2700

***

Anne Madarasz is museum division director and director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Senator John Heinz History Center, where she's worked since 1992. She received her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., and did coursework for a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. Madarasz served as project director and curator for "Glass: Shattering Notions," and authored the accompanying catalog. She was awarded a Richards Fellowship for research from the Corning Museum of Glass, and lectures and writes frequently on the subject of Pittsburgh glass, regional industry, and the history of Pittsburgh sports. Madarasz oversaw the research and design of the exhibit "Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation," which opened at the History Center in November 2008.

From the pre-revolutionary drama of the French & Indian War to the legendary match-ups of the Super Steelers, discover 250 years of Pittsburgh history at the Senator John Heinz History Center. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. The 275,000 sq. ft. museum features six floors of long-term and changing exhibition space, including the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a dynamic museum-within-a-museum, and the Library & Archives, an extensive scholarly resource documenting 250 years of life in Western Pennsylvania. The History Center presents the most compelling stories from American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection, all in an interactive environment perfect for visitors of every age!

The Senator John Heinz History Center, located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Heinz History Center presents the most compelling stories from American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection. The History Center traces its roots back to 1879, making it the oldest cultural institution in Western Pennsylvania.

The History Center museum system includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park, and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella, Pa.

The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is a state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot museum within the History Center that captures the unforgettable and almost forgotten tales of Pittsburgh sports through hundreds of artifacts, more than 70 hands-on interactive exhibits, and 20 audio-visual programs.

Now Showing:

Now through June 17, 2012, the History Center’s feature exhibit is Stars & Stripes: An American Story, which details the stories of the people behind the more than 200 year history of our nation’s most enduring symbol.The 7,000 square foot Stars & Stripes exhibit, which was developed by History Center museum staff in conjunction with Dr. Peter Keim and historians including Marc Leepson, includes objects, images, and archival materials from the History Center’s collections, as well as items on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, The Warhol Museum, The National Gallery of Art, and private collectors.

February is Black History Month, and visitors to the History Center can learn more about African American history in Western Pa. as part of the America’s Best Weekly: A Century of The Pittsburgh Courier exhibition. Through a number of photographs, artifacts, and audio-visual displays, the exhibit profiles the major contributors who propelled the Courier from a 1907 start-up publication to the most influential African American newspaper in the country. In the 40s and 50s this paper had the largest circulation of any black weekly in the country.

2012 Events:

 February 17 - History Uncorked: A Red, White, and Blue Affair (young professionals networking event) This is for the 20 to 30 something crowd and we expect 1,500 -2,000 young pros enjoying a night of music, food, drink, karaoke, meeting new people, making friends, and enjoying the exhibits. This is the10th year of this event, so come in your business casual and cocktail dresses and network away.

 April 13 - 20th Annual History Makers Award Dinner:
Five distinguished Pittsburghers will be recognized for their exceptional contributions to the history of Western Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world as the History Center presents its 20th Annual History Makers Award Dinner on Fri., April 13, 2012 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. This year’s honorees include Jackie Evancho (Arts & Letters); Stephen Tritch (Business & Industry); Ronald Davenport (Community Service); Hon. Michael Fisher (Government); Chip Ganassi (Sports).

August 2012 – Third Annual Bocce Tournament & Festival and Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures appraisal show

2012 Exhibits:

Stars & Stripes: An American Story
Open now through June 17, 2012; 1st floor

Angels of Mercy: Sisters in Healthcare in Western Pennsylvania
Open now through May 2012; 4th floor

America

’s Best Weekly: A Century of the Pittsburgh Courier
Open now through June 2, 2012; 4th floor

Post-Gazette: The Stories That Touch Our Lives 2011
Opens Feb. 2012; 4th floor

The Story of Negro League Baseball: We Are the Ship
Opens June 29, 2012 through Aug. 26, 2012
Celebrating the 100-year birthday of Josh Gibson

1968
Opens Oct. 6, 2012 through April 2013

From Slavery to Freedom: Pittsburgh and the Underground Railroad
Opens Nov. 30, 2012 – long-term exhibition

“The sports museum is near and dear to my heart,” says Anne.“It brings people in that aren’t museum dwellers because it’s a story they are comfortable with. It’s a thrill to come and see the Super Bowl Trophies or the Stanley Cup. This is a space that we didn’t just build and then let it go, it changes all the time."

For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org, open 7 days a week from 10-5

1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 412-454-6459

***

Kristin Garbarino

Kristin Garbarino joined The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s marketing team in November as the Marketing Technology Manager .Prior to joining the Trust, she spent four years marketing for Pittsburgh Public Theater. Kristin also produced her first independent film this past summer—Judy’s Dead—and starred opposite Tom Atkins and Helena Ruoti. This film was about two adult children returning to attend their mother’s funeral, after being estranged from their parents. It’s set in Grindstone, PA. She is also the host of Pittsburgh Theater Talk on PCTV.

Some upcoming events include the Distinctively Dutch Festival, 24 events in the Cultural District and around Pittsburgh. This is a collaboration between the Cultural Trust and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and many local arts organizations are participating in the festival. “It is exciting to work with their government,” says Kristin. “There is a lot of collaboration and I’m excited for our kick-off event on February 18^th. This program will run through the end of May”.

The Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival will have six main productions. Tickets are only $8 and it begins in May.

Gallery Crawls, there are four scheduled this year. These are FREE events. There are over 25 participating vendors, district-wide, including live music and opportunities to openly visit many galleries. It’s a great evening to walk around downtown, and it’s a family-friendly event perfect for all ages.

GALLERY CRAWL IN THE CULTURAL DISTRICT - Art. Music. Dance. Architecture. Film. Networking. Fun. FREE!

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL - Winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards®, BILLY ELLIOT is a celebration of a young boy’s triumph against the odds with an unforgettable score by Elton John.

CEDRIC WATSON & BIJOU CREOLE - One of the most noted young talents to emerge in Cajun or Creole music in recent years, Cedric Watson is a fiddler, vocalist, accordionist, bandleader and songwriter of seemingly unlimited potential.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: OCEAN SOUL - Voyage across the earth’s oceans with Brian Skerry, one of National Geographic’s most seasoned underwater photographers and discover a vast, hidden world beneath the waves.

DANCE WORKS ROTTERDAM ANATOMICA - Performing Anatomica, an unyielding exploration of the danger, beauty and consequences of the human body on display.

BRIT FLOYD- This brand new show, celebrating the amazing musical legacy of Pink Floyd, will bring its Pink Floyd Greatest Hits World Tour 2012 to the Benedum.

PLAYING FOR CHANGE - A transformative multimedia event, Playing for Change was created to connect and inspire people to work for peace through benefit concerts that showcase recording artists from all over the world.

THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE - The tireless spirit of Jake and Elwood Blues lives on with the only Blues Brothers’ tribute officially sanctioned.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - The tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together...stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves!

JACOBTV "THE NEWS" - His works are based on speech melody and explore the absurdity of television-culture, transmitting ordinary people’s most intimate confessions to an audience of millions. This is a pop opera.

707 PENN GALLERY - PAPER THIN THEATER - "Paper Thin Theater" is a collection of paper cut art by Kathryn Carr. It focuses on the art of storytelling; children's tales, puppetry, opera and the stage are presented in a narrative silhouette form.

937 LIBERTY AVENUE - Windows and Mirrors: Afghanistan - Windows and Mirrors exhibits 45 murals from artists across the U.S., shown alongside drawings from Afghan high school students about their daily lives. Also features the War Dialogues Project: Collaborative art from two Pittsburgh artists--a U.S. Iraq veteran and a high-school Iraqi refugee.

For more information, visit www.trustarts.org and check out www.trustarts.org/dutchfestival

803 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 412-471-6070

***

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. Listen to the show here. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 1-16-12

2012-01-23T17:55:00.000-05:00

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 1-16-12

Windows and Mirrors
January 27- February 12

Gallery 937, Liberty Avenue

Windows and Mirrors: Reflections on the War in Afghanistan, is paired with the Pittsburgh-based War Dialogues Project. The exhibitions reveal the everyday realities of refugees, civilians and soldiers who are suffering through wars that remain invisible to much of the American public.Read the entire release here.

***

Carnegie Museum, Free Thursday Nights

This February and March, Thursday night admission to Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History is FREE from 3:30 pm to 8 pm. Free Thursday nights in March are made possible by a generous grant from The Buncher Family Foundation. Normal parking fees apply on Free Thursdays in February and March.

***

Bakery's Best Party

January 28, 2012 From Free and Almost Free in Pittsburgh Meet UP

6425 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA (map)1:00 pm - 4:00pm, 1st floor entrance to the Google Building, Bakery Square

***

Small, Minority & Women Business Expo

March 28, 2012

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA

Calling all minority business enterprises (MBE), women business enterprises (WBE), disadvantaged businesses (DB), veteran owned businesses (VOB), and service disabled veteran owned (SDVO) businesses in the state of Pennsylvania.

The Department of General Services, Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities invites you to attend the “Small, Minority & Women Business Enterprise Expo” to obtain information on contracting processes, best practices, and programs that support your business. The Expo is being held in an effort to provide information to contractors and subcontractors on contracting opportunities with federal, state, and city agencies.

The Expo will be hosted by Mayor Linda D. Thompson, City of Harrisburg, and co-sponsored by the Naval Supply Systems Command, the PA Departments of General Services and Public Welfare.

More information and registration details will be available soon. Visit the Bureau of Minority & Women Business Opportunities at www.dgs.state.pa.us/bcabd

***

Food Network Seeks Food Entrepreneurs

Are you bravely ditching your day job to pursue your passion of launching your own food business with no culinary training?

Casting Call: A new Food Network series is looking for food entrepreneurs for a new show with Bobby Flay! Specifically, the network is seeking people who have left their previous career to start a new restaurant (or similar business). Details here.

***

University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Bellefield Hall Auditorium

February 8, 2012, 8:00 pm

315 S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA (map)

Free Event

University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Pitt's Orchestra performs Robert Schultz’ Legend for string orchestra and Brahms’s Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 73. For more information, click here.

***

Kingsley Association Presents: The Kingsley Awards: Jazz Explosion

February 25, 2012

Doors open at 6:00 pm, Show starts at 7:00 pmThe Hillman Center for The Performing Arts
Shady Side Academy Senior School. 423 Fox Chapel Road

The evening's tribute will pay homage to our local jazz legends, Roger Humphries, Dr. Nelson Harrison and Tony Mowod, as they are honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to the art of Jazz. Read the entire release here.

***

"Race" at Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre, a Timeless Parablem

2012-01-22T05:07:00.001-05:00

Roving Pittsburgher Report

** Sincere apologies to Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre for not putting this review out sooner. Somehow we missed publishing this review but PICT should still get credit for a great production and we thought it would still be appropriate to run this review during Black History Month. Great is great no matter when we publish the review. Kudos to Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre and the amazing actors who inspired PICT fans to take a long look at ethnic and racial issues.

Joanne Quinn-Smith, Publisher PPL Mag, Host PositivelyPittsburghLive Talkcast

READY, SET, GO PICT

BRINGING TOUGH CONVERSATIONS TO THE STAGE WITH RACE

Delana Flowers, Pittsburgh Good News Reporter

From the starting blocks to the finish line, David Mamet’s Race is a sprint through a minefield of thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes that set us against each other and separate us from one another.

It’s 90 minutes of permission for the self-righteous judge within us all to step down and back long enough to get a panoramic view of the unwritten, sometimes unspoken, and often unjustified laws that govern our interactions.

John DeMita

Alan Bomar Jones
Casiha Felt

The Pittsburgh Irish classical theater presented, for the first time in Pittsburgh, Race a work by a male, Jewish playwright unashamedly taking on issues of race, sex and class. These issues take center stage as partners at a law firm, one black and one white, must decide if they will represent a rich, white male accused of raping a black woman. The play is written with very rapid-fire, no holds barred dialogue that explodes with intensity from the start. The delicate nature of the subject matter is interspersed with comic relief that allows us to be humored by the realization of our own absurdities in such serious matters, breaking the ice of initial discomfort.

Four characters, Henry Brown (Alan Bomar Jones), Charles Strickland (Michael Fuller), Jack Lawson (John DeMita) and Susan (Casiha Flet) make up an excellently casted ensemble with great direction given by Andrew S. Paul. The partners of the law firm, Henry Brown (Jones) and Jack Lawson (John DeMita) have just the right chemistry between them, very aware of cultural differences but their mutual respect for each other professionally is apparent. These roles were not overplayed as one might expect but well balanced. Henry Brown is well played as intelligent yet not intimidating as stereotypes would suggest. Similarly, Jack Lawson (John DeMita) is not portrayed as all powerful or superior and does not seem to think himself to be so, also against the stereotypes.

Casiha Flet (who plays Susan) is to be applauded for not coming across as the typical, angry black woman. Instead she expertly allows her anger to be revealed in a way that makes us consider how she arrived at her indignation. The relationship between Susan and Brown as cultural counterparts is very well done in a way that reminds us that there is even opposition within the races.

Charles Strickland (Michael Fuller) does a great job of showing us the desperation of a man use to privilege being powerless in an unfortunate situation. We can clearly see that money doesn’t make us less human or put us above problems.

The door and the windows of the law firm being set opposite the fourth wall coupled with the intimacy of the Heymann Theatre were very effective. It gave the feeling of being privy to behind-closed-doors conversations that we’d all be well served to hear.

Race is ran through October 1, 2011 at the Henry Heymann Theater.

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.

Positively Pittsburgh Live 2012 Business Forecast

2012-01-10T12:16:00.001-05:00

PositivelyPittsburghLive!

2012 Pittsburgh Business Forecast

1-9-12

Guests:
Lee Drozak: Owner of My Office Assistant and Author of “Small Business Practical Times” blog
J. André Weisbrod, ChFC: Mutual Fund Manager, Investment Advisor, Financial Planner, Author, Lecturer
Bill Flanagan: Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Host of “Our Region’s Business”

Let’s start things off with Lee Drozak.

Lee Drozak

Lee is the 2010 winner of the Women’s Small Business Association, WSBA, Business Woman of the Year and named by her peers as Virtual Assistant of the Month. Her mission is to empower business owners to succeed in growing their business through resources that are readily available in today’s marketplace. Her energy, organization and enthusiasm are evident in her role as business consultant and mentor.

Lee was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, with a no nonsense approach to achieving success through hard work. With over 20 years of experience, she has a long list of accomplishments, awards and accolades to her credit.

After her son was born she made the decision to stay home and it was there she discovered telecommuting. She crafted a solid plan to work with a start-up national service center which would allow her to apply her business knowledge and still afford the luxury of being at home. During her tenure, she worked with the owner and principals to move the company from a staff of a few to over 200 employees. Lee also worked with IT to create a proprietary software program that streamlined many processes. She used her knowledge to apply processes and procedures that integrated advancing technology with everyday tasks thereby saving the company both time and money. Lee has continued to expand her knowledge and is now certified as an Internet Marketing, Social Media Management, Product Launch Support and Virtual Events.

Lee's forecast:
Pittsburgh is doing an amazing job at revitalization. Areas that we should continue to focus on are Access, Information, and Partnerships (FYI - that is the BBB tagline) – Specifically:

• Access to Capital
• Information Exchange
• Affordable Places to Set Up a Business
• Support for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Increased Sales and Partnerships

Providing capital, space, support, information and access for the City’s entrepreneurship sector will further brand Pittsburgh as a place for global innovation, attracting experienced entrepreneurs and talent to the city. The mission of Building Brides for Pittsburgh (BBFB) is to help entrepreneurs find the resources necessary for success. Our goal right now is to listen. We want to know what people need, what are they looking for?

Capital
We are hosting an event in April 2012 focusing on access to capital. Small Business Works will again be hosted by BBFB in conjunction with Allegheny County and The City of Pittsburgh. Attendees will receive a business checklist in March of what they will need to bring to the meeting. Workstations will be set up where business owners can apply for a business loan and a new Small Business Loan program will be introduced in Pittsburgh at that time. Additional work stations will be on hand for business owners to improve credit scores or debt balances, further refine their revenue streams or grow their business plans.

The City may want to grow their early stage investment funds. For example, in New York the early stage fund was created with $3 million in NYCEDC funds, matched by up to $4.5 million of private sector funds provided by Firstmark Capital. Firstmark Capital has also reserved an additional $15 million for follow-on investments.

Information
BBFB will continue to provide FREE business resources. We are hosting TWEETCHATS - the first in the city. These events are held monthly. Influential entrepreneur and author, Melinda Emerson (@smallbizlady) will answer questions from local entrepreneurs via Twitter on January 17, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in the third installment of Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by BBFP. (@bridges4biz).

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners and leaders in Allegheny County, will feature Emerson, who will answer a set of questions from BBFB and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The Twitterchat will be presented by BBFB, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University. The #smallbizpgh Twitterchat is free, allowing interested users to engage and participate using smart phones, tablets and computers.

Affordable Places to Start a Business
Pittsburgh may want to provide affordable places for people to own and operate a business. Incentive programs are available in other cities. We know that Pittsburgh is one of the "older" cities in the country. There are many vacant buildings and homes in the city. A possibility is to set up a program for recent grads from our amazing universities to STAY in the BURGH. We don't want them to leave. Put the two together vacant homes and buildings and the cities best and brightest at CMU, Chatham, Carlow, Duquesne, Point Park, and the University. Develop a program to keep the new grads here with possible tax incentives on new business development for a two year period. Of course, they should be incented to stay well past the two year period.

Innovation Support
Pittsburgh should also continue to offer support for innovation and business development. BBFB will continue its mission - Access, Information, and Partnership throughout 2012 in conjunction with the amazing programs provided by the County and City. Visit us at www.BuildingBridgesforBusiness.org for resources to start, grow, manage, and promote your business.

You can contact Lee at http://www.myofficeassist.com/

Next up is J. André Weisbrod, ChFC of Staar Financial
Mutual Fund Manager, Investment Advisor, Financial Planner, Author, Lecturer

J. André Weisbrod

J. André Weisbrod is President of Weisbrod Financial Services, Inc. and STAAR Financial Advisors, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor and advisor to the STAAR Investment Trust family of mutual funds. He is a Pittsburgh-based financial advisor providing individuals, businesses and organizations with comprehensive investment services. He has been in the financial services business since 1981 and has managed the highly rated STAAR AltCat Fund since 1996.

An accomplished speaker and writer, Mr. Weisbrod is the author of The Creative Personal Finance Workbook (PP&C, 1984, 1986), Becoming One Financially (Journey Books, 1989), The STAAR SYSTEM Investment Management Manual (1991) and How to Invest Wisely (1994). He has had articles published in a variety of newspapers, magazines and newsletters, has been interviewed by publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily and Mutual Funds Magazine, quoted by commentators such as Paul Harvey and has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, including on KDKA, TheStreet.com, Reuters TV and Business News Network.

Actively involved in church and community affairs, Mr. Weisbrod is committed to the well being of individuals, families and businesses. He served on the Vestry of St. Stephen's Church, Sewickley, PA, and was also chairman of the Endowment Committee from 1990-1997. He has also been involved with numerous non-profit organizations and has been a speaker before business, church and civic groups.

Combining backgrounds in non-profit service, business management and financial services, Mr. Weisbrod is uniquely qualified to advise people and organizations regarding financial matters. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Ohio University, he attended seminary and spent six years in ministry, directing work with teenagers and their families. He then took executive positions with Sea Breeze Laboratories and Clairol in marketing and product management. His grandfather was a co-founder of Sea Breeze Laboratories, the original company that manufactured Sea Breeze skin astringent.

Avocations include competitive masters swimming, scuba diving, painting and photography, acting and music. He was a 2000 National YMCA Swimming Champion and finished eighth in the 2000 Masters World Championships in Munich, Germany and seventh in the 2004 Masters World Championships in Riccione, Italy. He also finished 3rd in the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim in July of 2005 and plans to challenge Alcatraz again in August of 2009.

J. André's Forecast:
I believe the outlook for Pittsburgh in 2012 is good. The City has been more stable than many areas and I see that continuing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us that Pittsburgh is doing better than the national average when it comes to unemployment and we are also holding up better in the areas of real estate and business development. Established businesses like Heinz and PPG are hanging in there and some are doing quite well.

The businesses in the energy sector are doing excellent in our region, due in part to the Marcellus Shale and entrepreneurship is also alive and well. The region is healthy, not contracting; there is a lot of vitality. I think people are so used to seeing the bad news surrounding us; they need to take a moment to look at all the good news coming out of this area. This is a good place to be right now.

Pittsburgh will be affected by the overall economy, which is showing more positive signs. The risks are the geopolitical negative events and the inability to fund infrastructure rehab.

All-in-all I have increasing optimism that we will at least muddle through the financial crisis and see a positive 2012. We need to use good working principles. I’d rather be short-tem stupid and long-term right.

You can contact J. André at 412-367-9076 and visit http://www.sfamoney.com/

Next up is Bill Flanagan.

Bill Flanagan

Bill Flanagan is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, an economic development organization that works to improve the economy and quality of life throughout ten counties of southwestern Pennsylvania. Bill’s in charge of overall communication and investor relations for the Conference and its three affiliates, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. Bill is also the host of “Our Region’s Business,” Sunday mornings on WPXI-TV, a program the Conference produces jointly with the TV station. As a broadcast journalist, Bill’s been covering the transformation in our region’s economy for almost 30 years. He came to the region in 1982 to work for KDKA-TV.

Bill's Forecast:
The Allegheny Conference was actually formed over 70 years ago. We were heavily involved with the 2009 G-20 Summit and even President Obama said it was the most peaceful, major summit in world history. That is due to the incredible planning efforts of all the individuals involved. It also gave Pittsburgh a lot of global publicity. There were thousands of news stories on the Summit and it has given our City the opportunity to host many more international events.

2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the region. National Geographic Traveler has named the region one of the top 20 “Best of the World” to visit this year. We’ll host the national Black Engineers convention, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in May, and the One Young World Summit in October. All of these events being held here is a direct correlation to the success of the Summit.

The region’s population has turned the corner. According to the latest census data, metro population has growth in each of the past two years, being led by Butler and Washington counties. Butler growth is due to the expansion of Cranberry Township and the housing of Westinghouse headquarters, and Washington because of the growth in the energy industry. The shift is gradual but over the next ten years we will slowly become larger and younger in terms of demographics. Our 25-35 something worker in this area is actually the 5th most educated in the United States. We have very knowledgeable young adults that will be stepping up to be the future leaders of this region and that is exciting.

www.imaginepittsburgh.com is a great resource for job seekers with over 10,000 jobs posted right now. Half of these include a salary of over $40,000 a year. Many of the positions being vacated by baby boomers need to be filled, so the opportunities are out there.

Businesses are also finding out about the improved business climate, affordability and high quality of life here. For the past three years, the region has ranked in the top ten nationally in terms of business expansions and relocations, a strong showing for a region that ranks 24th in population. Eds and Meds are important, as is financial services, where employment has grown, bucking national trends. But energy may be the biggest reason why the region’s economy has held up so well during the recent recession and its aftermath. Marcellus Shale is a big part of it, but the region has strengths across seven different energy-related industries, plus significant R&D assets that are turning it into the new center of American energy.

A new blog that we recently launched is http://www.imaginepittsburghonline.com/ Every day we post good news stories from around the region, many that aren’t featured in the traditional publications. We also have http://www.powerofpittsburgh.com/ which lists all the energy-related jobs in the area. Last time I checked there were thousands of job openings. You can catch me on “Our Region’s Business” every Sunday.

***

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. Listen to the show here. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 1-9-12

2012-01-10T10:50:00.002-05:00

MakeShop Announces Micro Grant Opportunity
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, with funding from the Grable Foundation and support from The Sprout Fund and The Pittsburgh Foundation, will provide "Maker" micro grants to organizations who work with children and youth. Micro Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support programs that engage Youth Makers, children aged 7 to 17, in the hands-on design and production of objects that respond to two themes: Wearables and Rideables. Youth Makers will be encouraged to think broadly about the themes and create items as diverse as a wearable gaming system or cupcakes on wheels.

Download a Micro Grant Application and get started on your MakeShop idea today!
Micro Grant applications are due on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Micro Grants will be awarded through public selection using an online voting process developed by The Pittsburgh Foundation. The general public will have the chance to vote on their favorite projects and thereby select the final Youth Makers for grants.

***

"Networking Center Stage"
Byham Theater
101 6th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Wednesday January 18, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Networking Center Stage

The Pittsburgh Social Exchange in partnership with The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, invites you to attend “Networking Center Stage.” Event closes at 300 registrants. Take advantage of the early bird registration prices and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres, business networking on actual stage at the Byham and a cash bar. Register Now!

***

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in association with The Andy Warhol Museum performance series: Off the Wall

Steve Jobs

Presents Mike Daisey's The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
Created and Performed by Mike Daisey
Directed by Jean-Michele Gregory

Read the entire release here.

***

Pop Goes The Rock by Cirque Dreams

Heinz Hall

600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222

February 21-26

Pop Goes The Rock

Pop Goes The Rock is a roller–coaster ride of Twists, Turns and Wows! … a new musical of unexpected sights and sounds that explode on stage like a Rock n’ Roll party set in a carnival funhouse. Created and directed by Neil Goldberg, along with world-famous Cirque Dreams entertainment, this one-of-a-kind variety show spans decades and unites generations. Re-live popular and timeless tunes with a kaleidoscope of Cirque Dreams talent, extravagant costumes and theatrical mayhem. An international cast of singers, dancers, acrobats and musicians inspire crazy feats and off-the-hook beats on stage, in the air and way off the charts. Purchase tickets online at http://www.trustarts.org/, call 412-392-4900, or visit the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups 10+ Tickets call 412-471-6930. Purchase tickets before they go on sale to the public Friday, Jan. 13! Use promo code HITS.

***

Pittsburgh Fashion Week
Nominations are being accepted for the third line of inductees into the Pittsburgh Fashion Hall of Fame at Pittsburgh Fashion Week this fall. Are you considered a fashion icon or know someone who is? Pittsburgh Fashion Week (PFW) is looking for individuals who have impacted Pittsburgh through fashion, style and beauty.

The public is invited to nominate anyone with roots in Pittsburgh for the award. Nominations must include the name of the nominee, explanation of why the person is deserving, and contact information of the nominee. Nominations are due February 15 and may be submitted via email to halloffame@pittsburghfashionweek.com or by snail mail to Pittsburgh Fashion Week, P.O. Box 17947, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235-7947. Please keep submissions brief. Bullet points are preferred. Visit www.pittsburghfashionweek.com for all the details.

***

Jessica Lee

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
412.392.2217

LIVE RHYTHM, JAZZ & BLUES: "Jessica Lee's Entrepreneurial Thursdays"
Musical Networking Happy Hour
EVERY THURSDAY!!! Cover Charge: Only $5.00!

Pre-show networking session at 5:30 pm:

Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs! Live music starts at 6:00 pm.

"Business of Communications - Traditional & Leading Edge"

Co-host Hank Walshak - Walshak Communications Inc.
Hank assesses how you convey your expertise to add value to customers and prospects. He provides a detailed, objective assessment of your traditional and social-media communications and how they support your vision and margin-dollar growth. Hank works with you to design and implement a program to deliver expertise-related content. With his help, your program creates and sustains tailored communications about your expertise to clients and prospects.

Jay Speyerer, Owner, Legacy Road Communications (http://www.jayspeyerer.com/)
Jay will transform the people in your company into better communicators in the areas of e-mail, body language, cross-cultural communications, and presentation skills.

Bernard T Martin, President - Rapid Production Marketing (http://www.rpmconsultants.us/)
A Marketing, Management, Social Media and Business Intelligence Consulting firm focused in the Automotive, Industrial & Manufacturing segments. We build Social Media Brands!"

Manfred Woodall, Principal, Creative - Group16 (www.group-16.com)
Group16 is full-service creative marketing, design, and communications firm.

Malcolm Handelsman, Managing Partner - Do It Right LLC - "Helping Entrepreneurs become Businessmen"
Malcolm Handelsman is a lifelong entrepreneur who has owned two businesses and is starting his third venture. Do it Right LLC helps entrepreneurs and start up businesses find capital to finance and grow their business. In addition, they will assist in providing patent help, writing business and marketing plans and helping entrepreneurs "Do It Right" so they can avoid the costly mistakes many entrepreneurs make in starting a business. Do It Right's goal is to take an idea and make it a thriving, successful business.

Mark Baldauf, Principal, Catalyst Advertising (http://www.catalyst-adv.com/)
Catalyst Advertising wants to you create preferences for what you do. And help you build strong customer relationships because of who you are. Whether your enterprise is healthcare or high-tech, widgets or e-commence, financial services or cleaning services, we operate from a simple, no nonsense platform: The whole idea is to sell something.™

***

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh presents Billy Elliot the Musical
Benedum Center
719 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
January 31 through February 12, 2012

Billy Elliot

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh announce that NETworks Presentations, LLC will bring the multi-award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center from January 31 through February 12, 2012. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards. Read the entire release here.

***

NAWBO Greater Pittsburgh Presents: Becoming a Certified Woman Business Owner
Piatt Place, Room 3023
301 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
$15.00 includes lunch

Time: 12:00 to 1:30 pm
(Registration will start at 11:45)

The New Year is here! Is one of your resolutions is growing your business? Becoming a Certified Woman Owned Business (WOB) is one of the ways to help you grow. Join Ruth Byrd Smith, director of the Allegheny Office of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise as she presents an overview of the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program criteria and doing business with Allegheny County.

Four Reasons to become a certified Woman Owned Business:
1. It gives your business credibility. It is a way of defining the difference between you and your competition.
2. It’s Good PR For You: Being a certified WOB allows you to be registered in multiple resources where contracting officers can learn about your business.
3. It’s Good PR for Companies: Many companies solicit business opportunities from women-, disadvantage-, and minority-owned business. Their motivation is not necessarily government-driven, but a desire to help building their own local communities. No matter what the government may require, or not require, large corporations still like to be seen as “do gooders.”
4. Being WOB Leads to Funding Opportunities: There are many lending institutions that only work only certified business owners. The SBA backs financing of loans made to WOBs through these lending institutions. Being formally identified as a WOB can make it easier for you to obtain financing.

NAWBO has a Strong Voice. Women's advocacy groups, like NAWBO, continue to put pressure on the government to open doors for women entrepreneurs. The more women who certify their businesses, the louder this voice becomes. Vist the NAWBO Pittsburgh Chapter website here.

***

Roving Pittsburgher Report

The Cozy Café, 400 South Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, West End Village, www.thecozycafe.net/
This café is run by the husband and wife team of Adrian and Lindsey. They had wonderful sandwiches. I had the Shroom and Feta with portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers on fresh wheat bread from the Breadworks, their vegetarian specialty. It was tasty and delicious. But I saw a Chicken Philly go by that looked huge and delicious, as well. Make sure you go early because they close at 3:00 pm for private parties and catering. They are open Monday through Saturday and they offer free wifi.

Super Wendy’s, 2410 West Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15226
This is a really interesting twist to the everyday fast food joint. This Wendy’s houses a fireplace, TV and cozy chairs, along with a super drink machine with over 100 choices of beverages. There is also a mini dessert selection that rivals Panera’s. A must-see and a cool environment right here in the City.

Charlotte’s Web Review
"Charlotte's Web" is a classic children's book by E. B. White, relaying the story of a young girl named Fern and her relationship with a pig named Wilbur, who is saved from the slaughterhouse by the heroic efforts of an amazing barn spider named Charlotte.

Six characters are on stage dressed as either farmers or farm animals. We were in general admission in the very back row. Shame on me, did not know that general admission had no seating arrangements. But from the second to last row in the balcony my granddaughter and other children were mesmerized. I was concerned that she would not be able to imagine that the people dressed like characters were the same as in the story, but she got it because of the talented voices of the actors and the crazy antics of Wilbur the pig and Templeton the Rat.

The cast is small, “six actors,” under the direction of Rob Barron. In addition to Charlotte, Wilbur and Fern, there is Templeton the Rat and Fern's Uncle Homer. There is also a menagerie of assorted farm animals and bit parts which the cast of characters double and triple in with a marvelous, fun geared towards everyone, including the adults. You have got to see this to believe that some actors running around in adapted animal costumes can keep the attention of both children and adults and still get across the point of the story.

Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta 123 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222( two doors from the Byham Theatre) www.ilovegiovannis.com/
This doesn’t look like much but a disheveled little pizza shop even though they have excellent vintage photos of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh sports on the wall. But the food is pretty good. You can get salads and wraps and calzones. My granddaughter said, “this is the best pizza.” Well for a kid it is the best pizza because their traditional thin pizza is extra saucy, but for my money I think you should eat dessert for lunch. They have a twist called the “sweet twist” but the marketer that I am, I would call it a cream pug calzone. It is filled with delicious sweet cream, baked in their amazing pizza crust and drizzled with caramel and chocolate syrup or glaze, if you will. And as a marketer, I especially like their website which is www.ilovegiovannis.com. Just checking out their menu you will see that they have a couple of Reader’s Choice Awards and Best Pizza Awards. Not bad for a little no frills pizza shop on Sixth Street. It’s good to see that Old Pittsburgh is alive and well here.

Steeltown Hero
It’s that time again to start thinking about the everyday people in your life and community who are doing extraordinary things as volunteers. Once again the National Association of Women Business Owners will be presenting their Make the Connection Awards. Every one is a winner; you have just got to get those nominations in before the deadline. Honoree applications will begin to be accepted on January 20, 2012. The Make the Connection Gala will be held on April 11, 2012 at Sheraton Inn in Station Square.

***

2011 Recap and Host Favorites 1-2-12

2012-01-06T10:34:00.004-05:00

PositivelyPittsburghLive!

2011 Recap and Host Favorites

1-2-12

Guests:

JoAnn Forester - hosts syndicated show called Empress of Biz – airing 9 am on Thursdays

Mary Pam Kilgore – hosts syndicated show called Planner’s Pointers – airing 4 pm on Mondays

JoAnn Forester, host of Empress of Biz, focuses her show on suggestions for small business owners on how to grow and thrive. This show is for dreamers who want to be successful.

Mary Pam Kilgore, host of Planner’s Pointers, focuses her show on helping the event planners of the world by offering resources and advice. One of the events Mary Pam was involved with was recently listed in one of the Top 25 Events in Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh Business Times. Her blog on this topic is plannerspointers.blogspot.com.

So what were some of the favorite moments of 2011 for our hosts? Let’s start with JoAnn Forester and hear about some of her favorite Positively Pittsburgh Live shows.

JoAnn Forester- Well anything I am on is good! Just joking. I really enjoyed the shows that highlighted organizations that are doing good things for our area. Make The Connection is one that stands out. They host an event every April honoring the many volunteers in Pittsburgh and they have been doing this for over 10 years. These people are really the heralds of the City and its people like this that make our community such a great place to live and do business.

One of the women I admire, that was interviewed on PPL this year, is Grace Robinson. Her organization, Tomorrow’s Future, Inc. helps to mentor young adults as they get ready to enter the real world. They learn about business, about the social skills they will need, and how to land that great job. This year they held an award ceremony for the graduates of this program at Point Park University (a big supporter of Grace) and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the building as the students told their stories. PPL did a live broadcast at this show and it’s really something to listen to and one I will remember.

Another great show was the one focusing on all the sports teams we have in this area that aren’t as well-known as the Steelers or the Penguins. There are many women’s teams that people aren’t aware of, and I like that this show is done annually, to keep people abreast of all the opportunities out there. The Pittsburgh Passion, The Dragon Boat racers and The Steel City Derby Demons were just a few highlighted this year.

Building Bridges for Business has posted some videos which I think were very interesting, the show on Pittsburgh parks was excellent, and I liked the show on the awards that the Small Business Administration give out every year to those that are making a difference in their efforts to promote small businesses.

Now, Mary Pam Kilgore shares her favorites:

I listen to TechnoGranny a lot so I’d like to highlight some of those shows from 2011. The show that brought attention to Busy Deal, a brand new website that is similar to Groupon was very interesting. Instead of focusing on consumers, Busy Deal is a B2B practice and it has grown a lot since it’s appearance on the show.

The shows where we discuss what technologies have ceased to exist anymore is always a good time. Things change so quickly and it’s fun to go back and talk about fax machines or all the old-world ways of doing things and how different things are in just a few years time.

There are also a lot of good scoops on this show. Eventsburgh, Big American Giveaways, these were just a few companies that were in their infancy when on the show and are now are doing some great things.

Now, Joanne Quinn-Smith shares her favorite shows:

I really loved doing the interviews with the Military Writers Society of America. I got a lot of fantastic emails from people saying how excited they were to hear the stories of these writers. I had the chance to speak to World War II writers, Korean War writers, and there will be some TV interviews posted to PPL Mag soon where you can catch up on a lot of these.

The Family House Polo Event was a lot of fun. I got to do some super interviews there like with polo player Dante Tidaldi, and the voice of South Beach Polo, David Anders.

PBT members Robert Moore and Julia Erickson perform "Swan Lake."

Doing the live show from Swan Lake was quite an experience. We interviewed some of the young ladies who came with their parents to see the show and that was special.

One of my favorites was definitely Life After Football with Robin Cole and JT Thomas. These former Steelers gave some remarkable insight into life on the field in the 70s and how things have really changed. They didn’t make a lot of money back then, so a lot of their income was supplemented by going and speaking at public events. They spoke about how the community just embraced them and that was awesome to hear.

The Kudos for Pittsburgh Preview show is one I really enjoyed, which featured a local media panel and some great tips on PR for your business.

Now to JoAnn Forester for some of her favorites Empress of Biz shows:

I got to interview some great people this year including Tom Link, Manager of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, Carl Knoblock, Director of the Western PA Small Business Administration, Janet Lang, President of National Women Business Owners Corporation, and Ruth Byrd-Smith, Director of the Department of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.

Now to Mary Pam Kilgore for some of her favorites from Planner’s Pointers shows:

I interviewed Dawn Penfold of meetingjobs.com which is a great website for helping planners find jobs and gain useful information from webinars and articles. I also spoke with a techie from Seattle, Corbin Ball, that seems to know all the new technology that is going to come our way. He even called it years back that we would drop the hyphen in the word email. And thanks to Joanne Quinn-Smith for letting me know how much she enjoyed the book reviews we do on the show.

Now to some New Year’s resolutions for Pittsburgh.

First up: JoAnn Forester

1. Pittsburghers getting excited about going through the hills and bridges and visiting ALL the cities of the Burgh

2. City and County working together to build small businesses, such as the new organization Building Bridges for Business, NAWBO, African American Chamber of Commerce

3. Fair and equitable tax base established for all in the area

4. An economic windfall to fix all the pot holes

5. All of us realizing that we are in this together and if one neighborhood fails we all fail

6. The Pittsburgh Promise becoming a beacon for people to come back to the Burgh

7. A high-quality grocery store in downtown Pittsburgh

8. More movies coming to the Burgh (I'd like to be cast in one!)

9. A Women Hall of Fame established

10. I become Empress of the Burgh

Next up: Mary Pam Kilgore

City and County government getting along
Rich Fitzgerald gets a chance for success
Reassessments go away

And lastly, Joanne Quinn-Smith:

Get more people to visit PPL Mag, post their news and events
Get your Google on, create a channel on PPL Mag
Get people to care more about the good news and less about all the bad.
Demand good news!

An inspiration for me starting this the PPL show was my mom telling me to turn on the news, watch the weather, and turn it off because nothing on the news was good news. Bill Flannigan, of Our Region's Business, was also a big inspiration for me. He really cares about Pittsburgh and has done an amazing job of promoting all the good news stories in the area.

Get in touch with Mary Pam Kilgore and JoAnn Forester below:
Mary Pam – 412-260-4178 or marypamkilgore@gmail.com or on Twitter @marypam
JoAnn – 412-440-6969

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive News done by

Joanne Quinn-Smith.
Listen to the show in its entirety here.

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 1-2-12

2012-01-05T23:45:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year!

As You Like It

As You Like It Sizzles in the New Year at the O'Reilly Theater
Pittsburgh Public Theater continues its red hot season with a glowing new production of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, directed by Ted Pappas. As You Like It runs January 19 – February 19, 2012 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org. As You Like It is Presented by PNC.

2012 Chinese New Year

As We Say Goodbye to the Rabbit, the Year of the Dragon is Most Welcome

An Ancient Tradition in Modern Times

As the most important and festive of the traditional Chinese holidays, the 2012 Chinese New Year of the Water Dragon starts January 23 and will end on February 9, 2012. The celebrations begin New Years Eve and continue on until the full moon 15 days later.

Every year, the New Moon in Aquarius marks the Chinese New Year. Rather than have a fixed date each year, the Chinese culture tunes into more natural celestial events. Aquarius is the sign that represents humanitarianism so there may be something to this approach that we in the west can learn from this ancient civilization.

The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old. Honored in countries with significant Chinese populations, it is also celebrated in countries that don’t recognize it as their own national holiday, such as

Canada

United States

and

Australia

. For many, the spectacular New Year parades throughout China towns are the main attraction, showcasing colorful costumes, elaborate floats and performances, fireworks, lion dances and the hundred foot-long dragon puppet made from silk, bamboo and paper.

The tradition is that every family thoroughly cleans their house to sweep away any ill-fortune with the intention to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors are decorated with red color paper cut-outs with positive themes of "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity". Living rooms are adorned with blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit are there for the celebration. Each following day of the 2 week celebration marks customary activities, and the 15th day is the Lantern Festival celebrated at night, with children carrying lanterns in a parade.

The Year of the Water Dragon

According to the Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, January 23, 2012 marks the year of the Water Dragon, with the Water Element providing better communication and endurance, and the elemental colour of black or dark blue.

Dragons are known to be one of the most auspicious animals in the Chinese Zodiac and have the intelligence and drive to bring all projects to a great conclusion.

Those lucky enough to be born in the year of the Dragon are passionate and magnificent. Their inner energy is bold and strategic and they most always are successful.

The Chinese New Year is a celebration of change; out with the old and in with the new! A Chinese proverb says that all creations are reborn on New Year’s Day. We can all benefit by celebrating this ancient tradition to bring renewal into our own lives.

Forbes One of the Top 20 Most Influential Women for Entrepreneurs Featured Guest at January #smallbizpgh Twitterchat

Influential entrepreneur and author, Melinda Emerson (@smallbizlady) will answer questions from local entrepreneurs via Twitter on January 17, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in the third installment of Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz).

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners and leaders in Allegheny County, will feature Emerson, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.c om.

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at http://www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org

Sponsored by - Salesforce.com is the enterprise cloud computing company that is leading the shift to the Social Enterprise. Salesforce.com’s trusted cloud platform and applications—including their flagship Customer Relationship Management solution—help employees collaborate easily and connect with customers like never before. And thanks to the cloud, all of it comes with low cost, low risk, and fast results.

Roving Pittsburgher Report

Nutcracker Review

I took my almost 4 year old granddaughter to see the show and I was truly amazed that she never budged. I watched her enjoy every second of the show and many times she turned to me, with that look that only a child can have, and told me what a great job they were doing dancing. And of course a magical moment for her was when the crown was placed on the little girl’s head in the show and she knew that she was now a princess. It was outstanding and you can read my entire review here.

Pittsburgh Social Exchange

They hosted a great party at Savoy that was packed with people. Maybe a little too packed for my taste, but really a good crowd with some dynamic individuals. The food was excellent and the heated outdoor patio is such a special touch. Savoy is located on

Penn Avenue

and you can check out their website here.

Tanger Outlets

I know I’ve mentioned Tanger before, but there really are some spectacular deals. We visited Van Heusen, Bass, Ralph Lauren… I definitely splurged and bought myself a pair of lace-up women’s combat boots. Those will really go along with the bling I bought, too. Hey – everyone needs a little retail therapy these days.Tanger is located in Washington, right across from the Meadows Casino. You can check out their website here.

Taj Mahal

I also had the chance to eat at this restaurant with some friends and it was truly outstanding, great authentic Indian cuisine. Taj is located on

McKnight Road

in the North Hills. You can check out their website here.

Carnegie Library Christmas Trees

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to this exhibit, but I’ve heard it was really something to see. This is a 150-year old exhibit and it’s filled with character.

DiBella’s Old Fashioned Subs

Talk about a sub! This family-owned chain makes their own bread and it’s for sure in my top three steak sub joints in the whole of Pittsburgh. There were also, and don’t tell my kids, HUGE chocolate chip cookies. What a treat. DiBella’s has quite a few locations in and around Pittsburgh, so if you have a chance, stop by. You can check out their website here.

Jackie Evancho Concert

This was a magical show. I give kudos to her parents for making sure she is still dressed like a little girl and not in a hurry to grow up too fast. But her voice doesn’t match her size or her little princess dress. When I closed my eyes, I could have sworn it was a much more mature singer up there. It was remarkable and an all-around great evening. It’s such a treasure to have a native Pittsburgher bring so much joy and hope to people all around the country at such a young age. You can visit Jackie’s official website here.

Joanne’s Traditional New Year’s Party

I just wanted to say what a great time was had by all at our annual party. The wind was whipping, but no snow. Thanks to JoAnn Forester for adding that the food was phenomenal and that everyone had a stellar time just sitting around and talking to one another.

***

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith.

Listen to the show here.
(c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.

PositivelyPittsburghLive, PPL Magazine Internet/Radio/TV Network Staff

2011-12-22T19:01:00.003-05:00

PositivelyPittsburghLive!

PPL Magazine Internet/Radio/TV Network Staff
12-12-11

"It takes a village" is so true in so many businesses and as we approach the end of our fourth year of PositivelyPittsburghLive and third year of PPL Mag, Internet Radio and TV Network, I thought it might be time to introduce the staff and a few of the channel owners. - Joanne Quinn-Smith

Today's Guests:
Jo Ann Forrester: CFO of PPLMag and host of Empresss of Biz Talkcast
Gregg Mathis: Audio Engineer, owner of Pro Fry, Audacious Audios and host of Gourmet Eaters
Martin Thomas: PPL Videographer and Songwriter of "In the Burgh"
Joyce Kane: PPL Admin and owner of Cybertary in Pittsburgh
Delana Flowers: PPL Good News Reporter and Independent Creative Writer

Let's start with Jo Ann Forrester...

I started "The Empress of Biz" three years ago in hopes to help small businesses survive and thrive in difficult economic times. I try to relay information about resources out there, by including both national and local guests.

I've had guests such as Carl Knoblock, District Director of the SBA, and others who can really provide listeners with some great ideas for expansion. Our goal is to help small businesses by offering tips and letting people share advice. We have a lot of fun on the show and it's been amazing to go from never doing a radio show before to having a syndicated show. I have to credit Joanne though, as my producer. If she is the technogranny, I'm for sure the nanogranny. If I can push a wrong button, I do it! So she has been a huge help in getting me up to speed in this technical world. And we've been working together with PPL Mag since the very beginning.

Joanne and I were also able to work together as she entered The SBA's National Journalist of the Year Award in 2009, I love hearing small business owners' stories, especially the obstacles they had to overcome, and I developed a style of profile writing for these individuals. I help write the package for them (I've done hundreds) and then submit them to different award opportunities. I've had over 300 winners, Joanne being one of them, and that was a great experience we had together. We traveled to DC for the award acceptance and Joanne defnitely gave me credit for helping her submit for the award, telling alot of the attendees, "the red head did it!"

You can call me at 412-440-6969.

Joanne Quinn-Smith:
Just a reminder of all the aspects of our Positive Pittsburgh efforts:
PPLMag.com, The PPL show, TechoGranny show, Positive Pittsburghers on LinkedIn, and positivepittsburghers.com which has 245 members. When we get to 500 members, Tambellini's will give everyone on the list free zucchini! I invite everyone to subscribe to these pages for updates and register on the PPL Mag site.

Next up:
Gregg Mathis...

I help with audio assistance for PPL, I'm the host of the Gourmet Eater show, where I interview Pittsburgh restaurants (hoping to resurrect this show in early 2012) and I'm also the owner of Pro Fry. We are in our 6th year of business and we help restaurants, hospitals, colleges, etc. save money on cooking oil by recycling it. The oil can last longer, while still creating high quality food, thanks in part to our patented machine. This is a green business and one I definitely didn't ever think I'd be a part of. Can you imagine me telling my college counselor I wanted to recycle cooking oil?

I used to DJ a show on a local college station many years ago and after they told me to play the playlist or get off, I left. I spent the next 22 years at Carnegie Mellon, the last 15 of those as the Director of the AV Department. I learned a lot about the technology, and it was one of the world’s great jobs. I got to install technology in as many ways as you could think of in many rooms; what a wonderful experience. I was looking for more ways to be in charge of my world and that's when I started doing audio assistance and also started Pro Fry.

I met Joanne and one of the highlights of my work with her and PPL was interviewing centurions for the celebration of PPL's 100th show. We had to work to make sure the audio quality was right for these men and women, who had such strong ideas and advice, but not always a voice to match. Our voices weaken as we age, but their stories were inspiring and heartfelt, and luckily our audio relayed that.

You can call me at 412-720-6363, email me at gmathis@pro.com , visit our site http://www.profry.com/ (currently under redevelopment) or look for the yellow and white Pro Fry vans driving around!

Next up:
Martin Thomas...

I do a lot of volunteer work. I am Martin the troubadour and I perform toe tapping music for all occasions. My music is performed from the "American Songbook" [songs from the early 1900s through the 60s] for seniors. I console the sick and dying through music therapy, make custom music beds for commercial advertisements, compose and record songs, and I after a request from Joanne, I put together the song at the beginning of the show. I often trade work for work and I really enjoy what I do.

The video man is always the low man on the totem pole. It’s funny how people just walk in front of a camera, they just want that 15 minutes of fame, legitimately or not! Joanne and I have been working together for a while now, since my return to Pittsburgh in 2007. I was out West and even in Central America, but always found myself back and forth to Pittsburgh over that time. Joanne starting the show and me returning to Pittsburgh in the same year was a happy coincidence.

Joanne and I have done a lot of videos together but one that sticks out was the QR Code video. That really showcased the powerful marketing tool the QR code would become and it was a lot of fun to do. I have also interviewed many jazz greats and that has been a highlight of my work, as well.

You can email me at martinthomas59@hotmail.com or call me at 724-335-0624.

Next up:
Joyce Kane...

I own a virtual assistant service, Cybertary, providing the gamut of administrative support services to business owners, individuals and busy executives, ranging from bookkeeping, office support, web/graphic design, desktop publishing, travel planning and logistics, marketing and business planning… and much more.

We celebrated our second anniversary in September and I have been working with PPL for just about two years. PPL was one of our first clients and as a non-native of the City, but now living here for over 20 years, it’s great to be a part of all of this. I post all the events to the PPL calendar and the traffic is quite high on the site. People want to know the positive cultural events they can partake in around our City. I also post press releases to the Dreamweaver Marketing site dreamweavermarketingassociates.blogspot.com

People all around the City send us their news and events and I post the information complete with photos, which aids in the creation of the PDF of the magazine, which will soon become a weekly creation. I love all the family-children oriented events around the City, often for free or at low cost. It’s a great testament to Pittsburgh and how it continues to grow and welcome new families. If you have positive news, you can send it to me at info@pplmag.com

And if you’re looking for virtual administrative help, “Do what you do best, let Cybertary do the rest.”

You can email me at Joyce.Kane@Cybertary.com, visit our website at www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh or call me at 412-428-9595.

Next up:
Delana Flowers

Joanne and I met at Entrepreneurial Thursdays a few years ago. I am a writer, and when we met, she was in need of someone to help with all of the work for PPL and we’ve been together ever since. I post all the blogs that recap the PPL shows and I also do reviews for many theatre shows around town. I love the arts, being a singer and actress myself, so doing this work for PPL has been very rewarding. I’m very active in the independent theatre community and I also own my own freelance business: Ingenuity by Delana Flowers. I offer writing assistance for ads, brochures, invitations, press releases, anything that needs written.

The most fun I have had working for PPL thus far, was the privilege of going to my first opera. I wrote a review, after having no idea of what to expect, and it turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences in my entire life. I was also overjoyed to hear that the folks at the Pittsburgh opera loved the review.

I am also not a native Pittsburgher, moving here about five years ago from Lancaster. PPL has truly helped me learn to live in a big city. I didn’t know what to do with myself when I first came here and now I am exposed to events I wouldn’t have ever known about. It’s great to be part of this team. You can email me at Delana.ingenuity@gmail.com.

***

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive News done by Joanne Quinn-Smith.
Listen to the show in its entirety here.
(c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2011 All rights reserved.

The Nutcracker Ballet, Magic Inside the Theatre and Out!

2011-12-21T17:17:00.002-05:00

The lights, the scenery, the costumes, the Christmas fantasy! What a tradition here in Pittsburgh, the Nutcracker Ballet. A friend told me that she had been going to see the Nutcracker for forty years. My question is how did Tchaikovsky know that his music would fascinate both children and adults during the Christmas season for over one hundred years? The original ballet in Russia was not a success but the music was and later the costume and fantasy of E.T.A. Hoffmann's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" became a holiday tradition.

The Magic and the Fun! Picture by Rich Sofranko

Some will remember the debut of the Nutcracker here in Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and then later the Syria Mosque in Oakland, now gone. But wherever and however many times you have enjoyed the Nutcracker Ballet, you must know that in the words of a child, it gets, “gooder and gooder” year after year. I have no idea how the Pittsburgh Ballet will top this year as from start to finish, it was magical.

It did not matter to my three year old granddaughter Anaiyah that the scenery was set in turn of the Century Pittsburgh. All she saw was the scenery and the costumes and the ethereal excitement of this Christmas fanasy ballet. That has got to be the trick—to entertain a three year old whose comments were, “This is really good dancing.” And “what a beautiful princess.”

Almost like Chinese New Year, picture by Rich Sofranko

But her escorts, two “over sixties” were just as enthralled as she. There was artistry and humor and real magic and ethnic dancers. Of course the most popular with the adults were the harem dancer and her partner, in lavender no less.

And yes, there is romance at the Nutcracker Ballet also. And it was not lost on my three year old granddaughter as she told me, “Grandma, I want to see better,” and crawled onto my date’s lap. Nothing like a little girl getting a “career grandfather” to fall in love with her. "Oh, they just put a crown on her, now she's a princess."

Every little girl wants to be a fairy princess. Picture
by Rich Sofranko

Of course a grandfather is a grandfather and after the ballet in the parking lot he magically produced a beautifully sequined Nutcracker. Now that too must have been magic because neither grandmother or granddaughter noticed him purchasing it.

There are two days left of the Nutcracker in Pittsburgh, so dress your grand daughters like princesses (we did) and take them out to see the Fairy Princess and the Mouse King and the very handsome and talented Nutcracker.

Joanne Quinn-Smith, host of
PostivelyPittsburghLive, Publisher
PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com

Joanne Quinn-Smith, Good News Reporter
Editor and Publisher of Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com at: http://pplmag.com

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 12-13-11

2011-12-13T14:43:00.013-05:00

Breaking the Records: The Mask of Moriarty most beloved play in PICT's history!
Critics and audiences agree The Mask of Moriarty is the must-seeevent of the holiday season!
"A zany time"
    Sharon Eberson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

                           "Hilarious and highly entertaining"
                                  Alice T. Carter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

                                                            "An unbridled romp"
                                                                  Michelle Pilecki, Pittsburgh City Paper

"Not to be missed"
   Joyce Kane, Positively Pittsburgh

                                    "Everyone must go. Fabulous."
                                           Carla, Facebook

                                                                        "We all thoroughly enjoyed the performance."
                                                                            Carol, email

"The most fun I've had in the theatre in a long, long time!"
Judy, email

The Mask of Moriarty: NOW through Dec. 17th, The Charity Randall Theatre, Oakland
by Hugh Leonard

The Mask Of Moriarty

BEST seats are selling FAST! Call ProArtsTickets at 412.394.3353 or CLICK HERE to purchase online!

Bringing your family? Ask for the Family 4-Pack!
Two adult tickets and up to two youth tickets (under 26)
for only $100!! - up to a $50 savings!!

Free Parking Downtown
Welcome to Downtown Pittsburgh...our Winter Wonderland awaits you! Come Downtown this weekend and take advantage of FREE and easy parking at Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages on Fridays after 4 p.m. and all day Saturdays & Sundays. While you're here, enjoy plenty of free holiday activities, beautiful exhibits, holiday performances, great shopping, top-notch dining and more. To make it easy, we'll even help you plan your day! Read more.

Happy Holidays!
Jeremy Waldrup
President and CEO
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Give Toys and Spread Some Cheer

Pittsburgh Cares will be hosting a toy collection to benefit the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation in Downtown's historic Market Square on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Downtown patrons, visitors, employees, and residents are invited to attend this holiday mini-event. In conjunction with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Goodfellows Fund, the event seeks to collect new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Those who attend the event and donate a toy are also invited to enjoy hot chocolate, games, volunteer activities, and receive information on how these organizations provide holiday cheer to needy children in our region.

Holiday Concerts and Performances

Highmark Holiday Pops with Marvin Hamlisch!
Dec. 15 – 18, Heinz Hall; tickets start at $20

Marvin Hamlisch

Highmark Holiday Pops is a Pittsburgh holiday tradition! Celebrate the season with favorite carols and holiday music, including Sleigh Ride and Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah, as well as special surprises brought to you by Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Do not forget to take in the ornate decorations and the 25-foot tall tree featured in the Grand Lobby of Heinz Hall! Get additional performance details here.

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra
Dec. 18, 6 p.m. - August Wilson Center, tickets run $20 - $40

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra

Old favorites receive a jazz makeover, as the skilled musicians of the PJO render a new treatment on holiday classics, and turn the holiday season into a unique celebration of wonder, bliss and merriment the whole family will enjoy. More information here.

Nutcracker
Dec. 15 - 18, Benedum Center; tickets run $22.75 - $90.75

The Nutcracker

Revel in the wonder of Pittsburgh's favorite holiday tradition! Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre creates a full experience from the moment you enter the Benedum! Dazzling costumes, a larger-than-life Christmas tree, more than 80 dancers and Tchaikovsky's glorious score make The Nutcracker a can't miss production! Click here for details.

A Musical Christmas Carol
Dec. 16-18, Byham Theater; $26.75 - $46.75 - Half-price tickets for kids 3-14

A Musical Christmas Carol

Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful characters for a remarkable CLO holiday presentation of A Musical Christmas Carol. With dazzling special effects, holiday charm and ticket prices even Scrooge would approve of, this Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way to celebrate all the tradition of the season. Click here for details.

GET “PITTSBURGH’ED UP” FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH A SPECIAL DOUBLE FEATURE EVENT
The newly revitalized Hollywood Theater in Dormont is hosting a special Pittsburgh double-feature for the holidays on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7 p.m. featuring WQED’s recent high-definition all-aerial production Pittsburgh From the Air which will make its big screen debut and My Tale of Two Cities, a Pittsburgh comeback story which is coming home playing 25 cities across North America. Read the entire release here.

Roving Pittsburgher Report

No BS Marketing Meeting
Event date (Tuesday, December 20, 2011), 3:00 pm
This all meat, no fat marketing meeting is guaranteed to have you walk out with at least one actionable tactic that you can implement immediately and drive business your way. All strategies taught are direct response marketing oriented and based on ‘what’s working now’. Limited to 39 people; register now!

Roving Pittsburgher Report
The NAWBO "Mining for Gold" event held last week was really cool. There was so much information given on bidding for jobs in the state of PA, and if you missed it, I really recommend trying to catch the next one. We were even shown how to download a list of all the certified women business owners - there was 2700, can you believe that!

Then alot of us headed over to Penn Future's Party for some great food! Mary Pam Kiglore reports that there was some "filking" going on. Meaning there was singing of some popular Christmas carols, but the words were changed to environmental issues instead.
It was a great time had by all! Penn Future is located at 425 6th Ave., Ste. 2770 Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

The Staar Financial and Etoufee Catering Party was a lovely dinner affair held at the Quality Suites in Greentree. There was a little room upstairs, very intimate, that was just a stellar location for the event.
Shandra Lynn Weisbrad was a perfect Southern hostess. We dined on apple cider pork, shrimp creole, sweet potato dish pie,beans and spaetzel to name a few.

If you haven't been to Tanger Outlets yet, be sure to take a stroll through the many, many stores! I'm getting addicted myself. You can find some really phenomenal deals there, just in time for the holidays. And, since you're just right across the street from The Meadows, you can hop over and test your luck on some slots or table games. Tanger Outlets is located at 2200 Tanger Boulevard, Washington PA 15301.

And last but certainly not least, I found a great new place to dine in Squirrel Hill called Taza21. WOW! They specialize in Middle Eastern food, and they are known for their wraps. I had the BEST baba ghanoush I have ever tasted and I consider myself an aficionado when it comes to Middle Eastern fare! Taza21 is located at 1827 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Check out their site here.

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith.
Listen to the show here.

You Might Be a Pittsburgher If

2011-12-08T12:26:00.000-05:00

Hope that you enjoy the collection of "You Might Be a Pittsburgher" Sayings that we have collected in five years of broadcasting. The poster is available at the Buy Now Button on right column of the blog.

It's Elementary at the Mask of Moriarty, Review

2011-12-08T09:17:00.002-05:00

It’s Elementary at The Mask of Moriarty--Roving Pittsburgher Report

The elements were all present for an enjoyable performance of the Mask of Moriarty. Mystery, intrigue, humor, plot twists, lively dialogue, credible casting, period costuming all characterized the Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre’s production of the Sherlock Holmes tale.

It may help to be a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous sleuth to understand some of the more esoteric references sprinkled throughout the dialogue; from the audience’s reaction, though, the subtext of the story was strong enough to be independent of the full body of work featuring the classical mental duel between Holmes and his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty.

The staging and sets were impressive, enhanced by the incorporation of the stagehands as recurring and vocal characters (the O’Shaughnessy Brothers). While sometimes this device can seem contrived, this production was instead enhanced, especially since one of the ‘brothers’ was an Emily.

The opening scene on the Waterloo Bridge transported the audience to Victorian London with the thick fog and eerily lit silhouette of Big Ben. Holmes’ lair at 221B Baker Street was so faithfully recreated you could envision how his critical deductions based on the’ power of observation’ found inspiration. Indeed, Sherlock demonstrated his impressive power of observation in deducing the status of Watson’s circumstances yet seemed oblivious when the faithful ‘everyday innocuous sinister family retainer’ tried to get his attention in the Melmoth Castle crypt.

Speaking of Watson, he literally stole the show with his unique costume choice (selected by Sherlock Holmes, of course) in the fourth act, holding the audience in his silk clad hands through the final act.

The intimacy of the Charity Randall Theatre within the Stephen Foster Memorial enhanced the audience’s experience with the play. The troupe demonstrated great flexibility with several of the actors assuming multiple roles. The recurring themes castigating the intelligence of the British Bobby, Constable Travesty, and the ever-bumbling Inspector Lestrade kept the audience engaged, wanting more.

The cast’s enthusiasm for the Hugh Leonard script showed they enjoyed performing as much as the audience enjoyed the performance. The Mask of Moriarty is a Holmes & Watson caper not to be missed.

The PICT’s Mask of Moriarty continues through December 17.

Reviewed by Joyce Kane
Joyce is the Owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company. Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.

Positively Pittsburgh Live News from December 5, 2011

2011-12-06T09:34:00.010-05:00

Imagination Movers in Concert!
April 21, 2012: 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Benedum Center

Imagination Movers in Concert

Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty – of the Emmy-winning Disney Channel TV series “Imagination Movers” – bring their high-octane rock concert to Pittsburgh with the Rock-O-Matic Tour! The Imagination Movers’ danceable power pop songs, extremely catchy choruses, and knack for inspiring audience participation will deliver rock ‘n’ roll excitement! Throw in a heaping helping of onstage silliness and you’ve got a recipe for a live musical event that will truly engage the littlest of kids along with older siblings, parents, and grandparents! Don’t miss the most popular live family act of the year!

Use promo code rockomatic to order tickets before they go on sale to the public Friday, Dec. 9!
Buy tickets online here. Or call 412-456-6666, or get them at the Box Office at Theater Square
*Groups 10+ call 412-471-6930 for tickets.

***

Glenn Lewis

Pittsburgh Opera presents Glenn Lewis in an all-Schubert program, featuring “Trout” Quintet
Sunday, December 11: 5:30 pm/Doors open at 4:45 pm
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip District
Admission is free. No RSVP required.
Read more.

***

Pittsburgh Public Theater Welcomes 2012 with Comedy
The Second City returns with new show: Laugh Out Loud!
Thurs. Jan. 5 at 8:00 pm, Fri. Jan. 6 at 8:00 pm, Sat. Jan.7 at 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm

Laugh Out Loud

If you’ve resolved to put more fun in your life, start the year at Pittsburgh Public Theater with The Second City, the famed Chicago comedy troupe that launched the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and many others. Read more.

***

Sunday Afternoon Music Series: Mr. Banjo's Old Time Christmas Sing-Along

Sunday, December 11, 2011: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Carnegie Library Main (Oakland) - Quiet Reading Room, First Floor
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh

Walt and Susie Olsen will lead an old-fashioned sing-along of Christmas favorites. They play 4-string banjo, guitar, and bass guitar. Contact: Tara 412.622.3151or newandfeatured@carnegielibrary.org.

***

“Downtown Pittsburgh: Memories Made Here” Weekends

To celebrate the holiday season and to encourage people to come Downtown to shop, dine and play, the PDP is offering free horse-drawn carriage rides each Saturday.

Sponsored by One Oxford Centre and PPG Place
Rides available at One Oxford Centre from 11am to 3pm and PPG Place Plaza from 3pm to 8pm
Shoppers can also take advantage of the free Holly Trolley, sponsored by Fifth Avenue Place, which will run each Saturday and Sunday (except for Dec. 27).
For details about these offers and other Downtown events during the holiday season, click here

***

When mining for gold do you know what you are looking for and what to do with it when you find it? Mining for information can be trickier. You don’t always know what you will find or whether what you find will be useful. Data Mining the Pennsylvania Web Sites will introduce you to areas of information you may not know exist, what you will find there and what you can do with it to grow your business.

NAWBO Greater Pittsburgh Chapter and the
PA Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities Present

Data Mining the Pennsylvania Web Sites

Wednesday, December 7, 2011: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Best Western Parkway Center Inn
875 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

• How to find opportunities to bid on work with the Commonwealth
• How to find opportunities to work as a subcontractor on both Commonwealth and private projects
• Information for building or enhancing your potential client data base.
• Information on your competition.
• Information on the market for your goods and services.

There will be free wireless available so grab your laptop or tablet.
Cost: $15.00/ includes lunch
To register click here.
For more information contact Mary Pam Kilgore: mpkilgore@comcast.net

***

Roving Pittsburgher Report

The Porch
I recently visited The Porch in Oakland in the Schenley Plaza. We dined on Pumpkin polenta with porchetta mushrooms and gorganzole sauce, Harvest salad with roasted vegetables, and Fire baked Margherita pizza.There is a beautiful patio with standing outdoor fireplaces and overhead heaters, which make for an absolutely romantic ambience. Another little bonus is the purse hooks under the bar. We were waited on by Neal.

Choral Group at St Paul’s Cathedral

My granddaughter, who is three years old, said the Duquesne Men’s and Women’s Choral groups “sounded like angels.” My son’s fiancé said she had never experienced anything quite like it. From the Latin Ave Maria to the Nigerian arrangement Betelemetu by Olatunji to old favorites like O Come All Ye Faithful, it was sheer unadulterated Christmas inspiration, enjoyment and fun. Thanks to the Free and Almost Free Meet Up Group or PPL would not have known about it and my family would not have had the pleasure of enjoying it.

No BS Marketing Meeting whose name is now changed to Profit Catapult Business School
I received some great information and attended a very fun Christmas after party at Kretzler’s Tavern on Babcock Boulevard. Have you ever passed by a place repeatedly, finally gone inside and it felt like you were coming into an old familiar place? This is a neighborhood bar with excellent food, various video games and even pinball machines (those got my vote). It’s well lit, nice and clean, and houses an overall congenial atmosphere.

A Musical Box, Lamb Lays Down on Broadway
Recreation of a 1974 Genesis multi media production
Somehow for me it lost something in the translation in over thirty years and that was the consensus of many of the Baby Boomers who attended. I think it might have been the absence of artificial stimulants. But the concert was amazing. I know because my 20 year old nephew stayed during the second hour and he told me it was. There are not many real rock concerts out there and as they go this one is not only legendary but exquisitely executed complete with an outrageous slide show, great music and some general tomfoolery which made for a great show. The ushers told me the concert was two hours without intermission and me at 62 years old was a bit skeptical. It started at 8 pm and I had a great time until 9:12 pm before saying to myself, “I don’t think I can take another 48 minutes of this.” But that was my age talking and definitely not the concert!

Overly's Country Christmas®, located at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds
Celebrate the season at Overly’s Country Christmas®, an impressive holiday light display complete with a walk-through Christmas Village that’s filled with an array of old-fashioned traditions and treats. Sing carols ‘round the bonfire, revel in the model train display, have your picture taken with Santa (in the days before Christmas) and shop for gifts in the C. Edgar & Sons General Store as you experience the beauty of this illuminated winter wonderland! 724-423-1400 http://overlys.com/

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith.

Listen to the show here.
(c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2011 All rights reserved.

Positively Pittsburgh Live News from 11-28-11

2011-12-02T12:27:00.006-05:00

Andrea Rivette

Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 3:00 p.m., Byham Theater Broadway composer, lyricist and producer, Neil Berg, presents his critically-acclaimed revue. Read more.

***

CLC students working hard

Conservation Leadership Corps:
Applications for 2011 Start Now!
SCA’s Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) is a great way for high school students to meet new people, develop new skills, and see new places. High school students aged 14-18 as of January 1, 2012 will be interviewed and selected in November and December 2011 for the program, which starts in January 2012. Apply online For more information about CLC, contact Josh at SCA: jnard@thesca.org, 239 4th Avenue, Suite 2100, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 412-325-1851 x30.

***
Free Day
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Carnegie Trees with a day of free admission to the Art and Natural History museums, thanks to the Women's Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art.

Family Holiday Sing-Along
Saturday, December 10, 2011
2–4 p.m. - Hall of Architecture
Part of Free Day at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
Join singer/songwriter Frank Cappelli for an afternoon at the museums, featuring a lively and festive sing-along of your favorite seasonal tunes.

***

Alan Stanford

Alan Stanford presents “A Christmas Carol”
Sunday, December 4th, 7:00 p.m., The Charity Randall Theatre.
Legendary actor and director Alan Stanford will present a special one-night-only reading of Charles Dickens' classic tale of redemption, "A Christmas Carol," as a benefit for PICT. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 26.

***

The Mask of Moriarty by Hugh Leonard
Dec 1st through the 17th, The Charity Randall Theatre

The Mask of Moriarty

Join Sherlock Holmes - the world's most famous consulting detective - and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson as they confront their most dastardly opponent ever! A family-friendly comic mystery tale! Call ProArtsTickets at 412-394-3353 or CLICK HERE to purchase online! Ask about the Family 4-Pack: Two adult tickets and up to two youth tickets (under 26) for only $100! (up to a $50 savings).
***
Quantum Theatre presents Fat Beckett Dec 2nd through the 18th
(Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8pm/Sundays at 7pm).

Fat Beckett

Written by Gab Cody in collaboration with Rita Reis, directed by Samuel Turich

Fat Beckett is a sly, decidedly female, comedic response to the great Samuel Beckett's men who wait. But instead of waiting, our two heroines are on a whirlwind journey of time-and-space-travel in search of their beloved goat, Biquette. Join us in Lawrenceville at 4830 Hatfield Street. Quantum's parking lot entrance is off of Butler Street between 48th and 49th Street. *PICT email subscribers get a special discount of 15% off with the promo code: PICTbeckett. Order your tickets online or by phone 1.888.718.4253.

***

Feel Like Going On
A collective of Black photographers showcasing the positive and uplifting side of Black life and times in the Pittsburgh and surrounding regions.

On Monday, Nov. 21 2011, a group of African American photographers launched a partnership with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: a photography blog aimed at providing more positive, fuller images of African American life in Pittsburgh. It is rooted in a community project that began six years ago to willfully counter some of the all-too-often negative portrayals of African American people in the local mainstream media. The blog was inspired by the work of Charles “Teenie” Harris, an NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) Hall of Fame honoree.

“Feel Like Going On” was founded by journalist Ervin Dyer as a way to respond to the lack of positive images of Blacks in mainstream newspapers. It was also a way to celebrate the legacy of Mr. Harris -- a prolific photographer whose work is now garnering national attention in a retrospective of his work at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

The “Feel Like Going On” blog will allow a core group of photographers to regularly contribute fine art images, news images, and photographs of life as it unfolds in black Pittsburgh’s churches, communities, workspaces, playgrounds, etc.

***
Would You Move to Pittsburgh for $100,000?
By Patrick J. Kiger

The city is offering a $100,000 prize to "experienced dreamers" age 45 and over who are willing to relocate to the former smokestack-city-turned-high-tech-mecca and take a stab at achieving their second-act ambitions.

The contest is sponsored by a group of Pittsburgh-area government and community organizations, among them the Heinz Endowments and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and managed by Leadership Pittsburgh, a local round table for government officials and business leaders. Contest spokesman Shawn Bannon says that so far, the entries run the gamut from people who want to start new businesses to those who want to write or create great art.

Would-be midlife movers and shakers are invited to submit applications by December 16 to the contest's website, experienceddreamers.org. Applicants must be at least 45 years old and must have lived outside a 100-mile radius of Pittsburgh for at least the past 10 years. The winner also must be willing to relocate to the city by December 2012. The prize includes a $50,000 cash stipend and a $50,000 donation to a charitable trust that will be set up in the winner's name in 2013. Here's the online application form, which asks applicants to explain how their dream would benefit the onetime Steel City and to make a case for why they have the background, smarts and drive to accomplish it.

Bannon tells SecondAct that Pittsburgh leaders decided to hold the contest, in part, because of a 2009 survey that put the lie to the notion that cities must rely on young residents to drive growth. If Pittsburgh can attract 1,250 entrepreneurs age 45 and over who are eager to reinvent themselves, the study concluded, the city would realize an economic benefit of $2.5 billion over the next two decades.

***
Out of Rubble premieres at SPACE
December 2nd through January 29, 2012
Read the entire press release here.

***
Pittsburgh Opera’s Holiday Brown Bag Concert
Saturday, December 3, 12:00 p.m.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip District

For the past three seasons at holiday time, Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists have surprised and delighted audiences at the December Brown Bag Concert with breathtaking renditions of holiday classics as well as unexpected charmers such as “The Twelve Pains of Christmas” and “Hanukkah in Santa Monica.” Read more.
***
Straight No Chaser
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., Benedum Center

The perfomers of Straight No Chaser

By reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape, the unique Straight No Chaser is ten vocalists who have come together to create remarkable music, and combined with their sense of humor, entertain and leave audiences begging for more. This performance is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and is part of the 2011-2012 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. Read more.

***
Roving Pittsburgher Report
Franco’s Penn Ave
Portabello stuffed with spinach, gorgonzola on marinara, beautiful friendly bar

Red at Pittsburgh Public Theatre
RED as "the King" would say could use "a little less talk and a lot more action". That said, what banter. Abstract painter Mark Rothko (Jeff Still) battles his demons(not the least of which is becoming obsolete) and delivers a muscular performance. Jack Cutmore-Scott (Ken) stays the course as he morphs from submissive apprentice to formidable antagonist. My favorite scene is when Rothko and Ken brush a canvas with a plum color. As they splash on paint, hearing music in the background, we share the physical exhilaration of creating art. (A GO SEE. Connie Cannon)

Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival
The theme was America 1961 and 100% of proceeds from the silent auction benefited the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Western PA Chapter. So, visually the party was great fun. I think we ran into the Blues Brothers multiple times and I did not drink enough to see. Sat between two Tom’s half way through the first lap at the Heinz Field East Lounge and had an Origi. We think it was Origine Vodka, but orangish red and made with persimmons and citrus fruit. The other vodkas we liked:

• Zaya Fernet Branco bitter spirits nobody likes but ¾ of the way around the first lap it definitely was what grandma ordered for your tummy and brought back memories of grandma although she only gave you half a teaspoon full and you took it like the medicine it was supposed to be.

• Effen Cucumber Vodka as always was amazing

• Cake Vodka which the vendors obligingly turned into Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

Pinnacle definitely can be responsible for having your cake and drinking it too. Word of warning, when you go to a Whiskey Festival you are expected to drink at most of the fine spirits or whiskey stations. Not being much of a drinker I was obliged to take a date that could drink his share and mine, too.

Did I mention the food was also great?! Now to more serious stuff.

Each One Teach One Conference
Carnegie-Mellon University
Margaret Morrison Hall, Room 103

Real Rock…A chat on Black Rock moderated by Christiane D with Duane Jones,
Andrew W. Thornhill our "Transmedia" expert.

Also saw The Help at the Maxi Saver Cinema for $1.00.

***

This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith.

Listen to the show here.

PostivelyPittsburghLive, Pittsburgh Fall Festivals

2011-11-14T23:09:00.000-05:00

Positively Pittsburgh Live! 8-15-11

Pittsburgh Fall Festivals

Fall is not just for hayrides and scare houses, there are lots of other exciting events going on in Pittsburgh in early fall.

Today’s Guests

Nan Krushinski, Executive Director Irish Partnership, Inc., 21st Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival

Karla Owens, Executive Director of Bloomfield Development Corporation, Little Italy Days

Beth Rush, Penn's Colony Festival's "Living History Challenge"

PENN'S COLONY FESTIVAL'S "LIVING HISTORY CHALLENGE

Historic Saxonburg, Butler Co., PA, Sept. 17-18 and 24-25, 2011, Saturdays 10-6, Sundays 10-5

French March Forward

Each September, Penn’s Colony Festival revives the 18^th century for two colorful, authentic and vibrantly alive weekends in Saxonburg, PA – 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. Set on 12, easy walking, tree-shaded acres and with the French and Indian War era (1750s) as a framework, Penn’s Colony celebrates the region’s daily life, history, arts and entertainment in a hands-on, interactive atmosphere perfect for family fun, as well as the collector of American Folk Art and Hand Craft. Over 150 master craftsmen and folk artists and fine artists set up shop in a quaint, outdoor Early American village setting to demonstrate and sell furniture, folk art, primitives, fine arts, pottery, carvings, decoratives, seasonal accents and more...all made in America by the artist. This year’s FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS include:

Penn's Colony Surrey Gate

· Many new artisans featuring handmade in America wares, furniture and gifts to enhance daily life and decorate contemporary homes. The marketplace features 150 exhibits.

· Rich Patrick Band – the three-member band entertains with lyrical and bawdy songs of the 18^th century from colonial America across the pond to England, Ireland and Scotland.

· Brigadoon Highlanders Pipes and Drums (17^th, 18^th and 25^h)

· Celtic Eagle Pipes and Drums (24^th)

· Hidden History – An entertaining introduction to the history secrets behind the successes of our French, Native, British and European colonial ancestors. Presented twice daily on the Kuskusky Clearing stage.

· 18^th c. Native American Eastern Woodland educator and demonstrator on Sept. 24-25.

· New this year for KIDS: Bring your favorite rock and identify it at the Panning for Gems activity. Learn the techniques to separate ordinary rocks from gems.

· Yuck! What’s that bug? Then Insect Creations will show you how to preserve your bugs and create a collection. Considered one of the “green” arts, the preservation display actually helps to sustain the economy and preserve the tropical forests.

Discussion:

Re-enactment Cannon

Award winning festival right in our own backyard, that's commemorating/celebrating events that impacted the world, yet the event is unique to the Pittsburgh region.
Something positive for every age and interest.
Market of folk art, furniture and fine crafted collectibles is a prime example of buying local and benefiting the community.
Spending time outdoors. Step back in time and learn about Colonial heritage, but also learn more about yourself.
Penn's Colony has a long history of educating and entertaining folks about colonial times,
BUT this year they have added a new exciting dimension called the Living History Challenge and to share their experiences on the Facebook page or enter the contest through the website.
Hidden History - offers a different adventure every time. Penn's Colony strives to provide the "excellent adventure" in the French & Indiana war era.
Dozens and dozens of opportunities to try handcraft throughout the master craftsman marketplace or in the living history camps.

Living history challenge

Colonial Shops at Penn's Colony

Have you ever wondered what daily life was like during Colonial America? In this time of economic uncertainty, do you sometimes long for the ‘simple life’ when everything was handmade in America and lasted for many years? This year’s Penn’s Colony Festival is designed to encourage visitors and enthusiasts to participate in a ‘Living History Challenge’ before and during the Festival.

The Festival’s founders and top historians are giving the public a chance to experience these activities up close and personal as well as from the comfort of their homes through the new Living History Challenge. This event is a rare opportunity for students, hobbyists, families or anyone curious about daily living during Colonial times to travel ‘back in time.’ Here is how to take part in the Living History Challenge:

· For participation AT Home: Select your challenge, and commit to it for a period of two weeks. Write a brief, 1-2 paragraph essay describing what you did and the impact the challenge made in your life. Post it on the Penn’s Colony Facebook Page.

· For participation AT the Festival, select the challenge in which you would like to participate if you win. Winners must be able to make the commitment to participate on the date and time specified for their challenge. Penn’s Colony Festival is not responsible for transporting winners to or from the challenge event.

Beth Rush, Penn's Colony Festival, PO Box 431, Saxonburg, PA 16056

724-352-9922, www.pennscolony.com, penns@consolidated.net,facebook.com/pennscolony

LITTLE ITALY DAYS

September 23, 24 and 25, 2011

The Bloomfield Development Corporation

· 501c3 non profit community development corporation whose mission is:

· Oversees the implementation of various economic development strategies such as business recruitment, business expansion, business and job development and pursuit of funding opportunities to achieve these goals.

· Addresses residential issues such as housing, public safety, and education to improve the quality of residential living.

· In the sixth year of the Mainstreet program and participates in planning and development activities throughout the East End.

· Hosts events and activities that promote Bloomfield as a destination place.

Karla Owens

· A community leader and Bloomfield business owner with 20 years experience in education, management, sales, marketing, customer service and business development

Karla Owens

· Received an MS Ed from Duquesne University in Education/Instructional Technology and a B.S. from Clarion University in Business Administration/Marketing.

· Currently enrolled in University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Graduate Studies.

· A member of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s Blue Ribbon Economic Development Committee, Owens also earned a Paralegal Certificate from Pennsylvania State University.

· as Mainstreet Manager of the BBA are: developing a strategic Business District Action Plan, increasing membership by 15%, assisting local businesses with façade improvement grants, and receiving more than $200,000 in grant money for neighborhood development.

Discussion:

Little Italy Days

· Created as a method of celebrating the local Italian Heritage.

· Liberty Avenue comes alive with music, food games and activities amidst Bloomfield’s unique shops and fine restaurants. also bocce tournament, kids games, raffles, and spaghetti eating contest

· This is the 10^th anniversary.

· Attendance over three days is over 25000. Local people return to the neighborhood and hold family reunions during the event.

· Free Admission, family friendly, one of the only ethic festivals in the city of Pittsburgh

· Hugely recognized promotional event, but we have been able to quantify as business development tool. Visitors have expressed interest in setting up and expanding locations once they see the location and vitality of the neighborhood.

· Charter buses from Italian organizations come from State College, Baltimore, Monnessan.

· Live broadcast on Friday on Radio Italia, WEDO 801 a.m. and Comcast Local Edition TV Show.

· Tents lined up both sides of Liberty Avenue, traffic still moves through, this is why the event has grown so much.

· Residents, businesses, churches all participate,;the community comes together during the weekend.

· Little Italy Days Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Edmond St. at 11:30 on Sunday followed by Procession of the Madonna dellacivita

· The event logs over 11,000 volunteer hours

· In 2004, the event was recognized as Best Special Event in the City of Pittsburgh by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and in 2008 was recognized as Best Special Event Statewide by the Pa Downtown Center for advancing "the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of Pennsylvania's downtowns, traditional neighborhood business districts and nearby residential neighborhoods."

Karla Owens, Executive Director, Bloomfield Development Corporation

412.681.8800-office, 412.401.3750-cell

karla@bloomfieldnow.com, www.bloomfieldnow.com, www.facebook.com/bloomfieldnow

21ST ANNUAL PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL

September 9-10-11, 2011

Our goal is to contribute to the rich cultural expression of Irish history and tradition that exists in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Irish Festival:

· Celebrates the richness of Ireland through lively music, savory Irish food and world championship dancing at the Riverplex at Sandcastle!

· Brings together the Pittsburgh community for three days of Celtic camaraderie.

· An authentic Irish marketplace, wide selection of tasty Irish cuisine, extensive children's area, and four continuous entertainment and cultural stages.

· Variety of Irish dogs, dance the jig, play the harp and Irish drum, and learn the Irish language.

· Celebrate Gaelic Mass on Sunday.

· Draws more than 25,000 visitors.

· The largest Irish festival in the state!

Nan Krushinski,

· Pittsburgh Irish Festival is also Executive Director Irish Partnership, Inc., 21st Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival

· Direct all facets of multi-cultural and corporate events from conception to completion.

· Consult, execute, and train on all principal aspects of sponsorship for non-profit organizations, corporations, concert promoters, and festivals.

Create and distribute multiple-length public service announcements. Effective event spokesperson on all media formats including television, radio and print.

· Facilitate copywriting, ad buys, ad creation and distribution, grassroots and commercial promotions, and all facets of public relations/advertising campaign.

· Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Public Relations at University of Pittsburgh, PA,

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

http://www.positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com/broadcast.php?IdChan=9&IdItem=11

Delana Flowers

Steel City Bangra on WQED Horizons

2011-11-14T21:36:00.000-05:00

Watch Steel City Banghra on Horizons on WQED. Great show that talks about the trend of Punjabi Banghra in colleges and universities across the country. This episode features Steel City Banghra and PositivePittsburghLiveMagazine.com videographer Siddharth Pandit.

http://www.wqed.org/tv/horizons/?id=294

It's Not Logical, But There's Good News in Pittsburgh

2011-11-11T07:04:00.001-05:00