Positively Pittsburgh Live News 6-4-12

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 

6-4-12

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We thought you might like to know that, for the sixth year in a row, Pittsburgh Quarterly has led all regional magazines in the Golden Quill Awards, sponsored by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania for the best journalism in the 29 counties of western Pa. 

Below is a listing of all regional news organizations, according to their number of

2012 Golden Quill award winners and finalists.

We hope you'll agree that, considering we publish just four times a year, Pittsburgh Quarterly packs a great deal of quality journalism into each issue.

13 winners, 25 finalists: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

10 winners, 13 finalists: Pittsburgh Quarterly

8 winners, 9 finalists: Pittsburgh Tribune Review

7 winners, 8 finalists: WPXI TV

6 winners, 7 finalists: KDKA TV

6 winners, 6 finalists: Allegheny Front

6 winners, 5 finalists: Pittsburgh City Paper

4 winners, 10 finalists: WQED TV

4 winners, 3 finalists: Centre Daily Times

3 winners, 3 finalists: Pittsburgh Magazine

3 winners, 2 finalists: Altoona Mirror

3 winners, 1 finalist: KDKA radio

2 winners, 9 finalists: Valley News Dispatch

2 winners, 3 finalists: Whirl

2 winners, 2 finalists: Pittsburgh Business Times; Tribune Democrat

2 winners, 1 finalist: New Castle News

1 winner, 4 finalists: Observer Reporter

1 winner, 3 finalists : Sewickley Herald; Shady Ave

1 winner, 2 finalists: Patch

1 winner, 1 finalist: Pitt web; Penn Hills Progress

1 winner: Johnstown Magazine; Times Express

6 finalists: Mt. Lebanon Magazine

3 finalists: The Almanac

2 finalists: "H" Magazine; KQV radio; Western Pa. History Magazine;

Laurel Group; WPSU

1 finalist: Robert Morris University magazine; Murrsyville Star;

Pitt Chronicle; North Journal; Forever Broadcasting; Globe Leader

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WQED debuts Pittsburgh Next Avenue

In response to the age boom in America, the PBS system and WQED introduces Next Avenue, an extensive new website that launched May 15. Designed to meet the needs and the potential of this age boom, Next Avenue will engage, inspire and inform the more than 100 million people who are transitioning into what many see as a new life stage in human development – a stage between young adulthood and “old old.” Read the entire release here. 

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Classical WQED-FM 89.3 Launches Unique Pittsburgh Concert Channel

Classical WQED-FM 89.3 just made Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performances available 24-hours-a-day. Now available at wqed.org/fm and WQED-HD2 (89.3-2FM) on HD Radio, the Pittsburgh Concert Channel exclusively broadcasts archived local performances (WQED-FM has recorded and broadcast) from the nationally syndicated Pittsburgh Symphony Radio series along with select concerts from Chatham Baroque, CMU School of Music and many others. Read the entire release here.

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Johnny Mathis Returns to Heinz Hall For Two Special Concerts with PSO

Johnny Mathis

Music legend Johnny Mathis will return to Heinz Hall for a special two-night concert series with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO). 

From jazz to ballads to Broadway, Johnny Mathis has more than 50 years in the music business. Originally from Gilmer, Texas, Mathis was known not only for his singing ability but his athleticism as well. At San Francisco State, he gained additional fame as a high jumper. But Mathis gave up his chance to become a member of the USA Olympic Team and went to New York to record his first album in March 1956. The first album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song, was a collection of jazz oriented renditions of popular standards, and included such songs as Angel Eyes, and Easy to Love. Read the entire release here. 

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PSO Wins Prestigious International Award For Mahler 4 Recording

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) received a prestigious International Classical Music Award (ICMA) trophy during the annual Award Ceremony in Nantes, France. The award-winning Exton recording featured Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, conducted by Music Director Manfred Honeck and featuring soprano Sunhae Im. 

The PSO’s award-winning recording was nominated alongside Exton’s release of another PSO recording – Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, featuring mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and Children’s Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh. 

PSO’s recordings of Mahler’s Third, Fourth and Fifth symphonies are available at http://pittsburghsymphonyorchestra.bigcartel.com/category/cds and at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., downtown. PSO recordings are made possible by a generous grant from BNY Mellon.

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Local Scientist Named SBA Exporter of the Year

Dr. Richard Somiari

Dr. Richard Somiari, president and chief scientific officer of Integrated Technologies & Services International, works with his 11-member scientific team analyzing blood for biomarkers to help develop a blood test that can screen for breast cancer. 

Recently named SBA Region III and Western Pennsylvania Exporter of the Year, Somiari decided after one year as an intern to study applied science, subsequently completed a PhD in Biochemistry and started working as a scientist, then formed a research facility to share his biotechnology and genetic profiling expertise with the worldwide medical community. Read the entire release here. 

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PICT Premiere of The Pitmen Painters

The Pitmen Painters

PICT continues its season with the Pittsburgh premiere of The Pitmen Painters, by Billy Elliot author Lee Hall. The production features Brad Heberlee as Robert Lyon, Simon Bradbury as Oliver Kilbourn, Alan Stanford as Harry Wilson, Daryll Heysham as Jimmy Floyd, Larry John Meyers as George Brown, Bernard Balbot as Young Lad, Linda Kimbrough as Helen Sutherland, Rachel McKeon as Susan Parks, and Sean Sears as Ben Nicholson. PICT Producing Artistic Director Andrew S. Paul directs The Pitmen Painters, which runs May 31^st through June 23 in the intimate Henry Heymann Theatre.  Read the entire release here. 

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Local teen CEO Won Black Enterprise Magazine’s 2012 Teenpreneur of the Year Award

Amber J. Liggett

On Thursday, May 24^th, sixteen-year-old Amber J. Liggett, CEO of Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons was awarded the 2012 Black Enterprise Magazine’s Teenpreneur of the Year Award, becoming the only youth to receive an award from the prestigious publication this year.  “The annual Black Enterprise Small Business Awards recognize those entrepreneurs who have found their niche, possessing the right strategy and skill to eventually grow their small enterprises into sizable entities within their industries.” Natasha Gore, events coordinator of Black Enterprise Magazine explained that “This award recognizes entrepreneurs, like Amber, age 19 or under, committed to the tradition of black business achievement.” See samples of Amber’s amazing balloons at her website here. 

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More Than A Mixxer
Whether you’re a bride- or groom-to-be, a professional in the bridal industry, or a member of the local community looking for an effective way to network with other community members, you won’t want to miss Enhanced Creativity’s More Than A Mixxer, taking place on Friday, June 22nd, from 5:30 to 10:00 pm. Read the entire release here. 

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Heinz Hall Garden Cafe

The Garden Café at Heinz Hall Opens
Café service will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The menu offers wraps, cold sandwiches, salads and vegetarian options. Patrons can also enjoy grilled foods on Wednesdays in June, and Fridays in July and August. Read the entire release here. 

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WQED Pittsburgh Congratulates Local Middle School Winners
WQED Pittsburgh is pleased to congratulate four Evans City Middle School student winners of The National Stem Video Game Challenge. Campbell Kriess and Drew McCarron of Cranberry Township and Justin Bicehouse and Connor Schexnaildre of Evans City won in the “Playable Game – Teams” middle school (grades 5-8) category for their game titled, Archers vs. Aliens. Read the entire release here.

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Buddy Valastro

Buddy Valastro Live: The Cake Boss, Homemade for the Holidays Tour
 Candy canes, carols, and the Cake Boss! Celebrate the holidays this season with America’s favorite baker, Buddy Valastro, at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, PA on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. Read the entire release here. 

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Join the Pittsburgh Dance Center every Wednesday for weekly dance parties all summer long! Beginning May 23rd from 8PM-11PM, Schenley Plaza will be moving and shaking with dance instruction in salsa, ballroom, swing and tango.

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JAZZ ON THE HILLSIDE CONTINUES PITTSBURGH’S RICH JAZZ LEGACY

 Pittsburgh’s rich jazz legacy is known throughout the world.  On Friday, June 22 from 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., the legacy will continue for a very worthy cause at the 8^th Annual Jazz on the Hillside fundraising concert on the lawn of the Schenley Heights Community Development Program (SHCDP) Multi-Purpose Center, 3171 Ewart Drive. Read the entire release here. 

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Roving Pittsburgher Report

Penn Hills Community Days at 3 Lakes Golf Course, “Champions Live” Sports Talk Show.  Sunday, June 10, 2012

Bill Neal, host and Smokin’ Jim Frazier co-host, invited staff of Hug-A-Thon to an interview segment on “Champions Live” Sports Talk Show.  This airs on PCTV and dedicated YouTube channel, and was filmed live from the Penn Hills Community Days.Also at the event, music and fire trucks, face painting and vendors, oh my!  Great fun in the sun. Also got to meet new recruit for the Pittsburgh Steelers who will start this fall, 6’8” Wes Lyon.

Sonny and Jo’s
2957 Banksville Rd , Pittsburgh PA 15216

Family owned by Sonny and Johanna Messina. Sicilian pizza, Sweet Carolina wings, Buffalo Wings, Steak Hoagie, yum! Fresh wedding soup made by Aunt Lenny was wonderful with escarole and chicken and pastina.  Wow! Say hello to our favorite bartender, Michelle Messina.
Oh by the way, the Sweet Carolina Wings are not on the menu so tell them that TechnoGranny and Al Levine recommended them.

Mendoza Express, Authentic Mexican Food

612 Mansfield Ave.  Pittsburgh, PA 15206, http://mendozaexpress.com  

“Tucked in on a neat little corner just below all of the Green Tree Hotels and in the neighborhood of Cannevin High School.” Family run by Yadi and Marco Mendoza.  Tiny, but neat and clean and oh, the food.  I am not an enchilada fan, but I try them always hoping to find the perfect one.  I found the first perfect one at Fidel’s in Del Mar near San Diego in California, the Mariachi singers helped the digestion.  The second “perfect enchilada” was right here in Pittsburgh at Mendoza Express.   And Yadi made tamales, not on the menu, for my Spanish host,  Virginia M. Herdman from Spa 54, who loved them.  Also the guacamole is fresh and delicious and Yadi and Marco do not rely on a lot of salt to make it delicious but on other spices.  A good note to make for those restricting their salt diet.  Wonderful little place and immaculately clean and congenial, also.

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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.

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