7th Annual Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference

7th Annual  Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference November 15, 2012

Schedule At-A-Glance  8:00 - 9:00        Registration and Breakfast  9:00 - 9:50        Discussion:  "Don't Build on Unsafe Ground...Where is the Thin Ice In Front of You?" 10:00 - 11:15     Breakout Session I  11:25 - 12:40     Breakout Session II  12:45 - 2:00       Lunch: "Smooth-Running Machines" Get a Tech Check                                                        for Your Business 2:00 - 3:00         Technology Demonstration & Showcase Tradeshow 3:15 - 4:30         Breakout Session III   Register Now  (Use promo code PBTC and pay only $99) Workshops

Follow, Friend, Link or Like Us:  How to Build Online Connections & Get More Sales from Your Social Media Activity Social media isn't new but there are always new players on the block and new strategies to increase engagement and sales.  Learn some strategies to help you work smarter, not harder.  Hear from a successful sales representative and a social media marketer on how to build relationships, keep customers engaged and buying again and again.      Customer Relationship Management - What is it & Why You Need It  CRM tools have long had a reputation as being too cumbersome for smaller enterprises but the reality is that small businesses owners can benefit from the tools to help manage their leads, keep customer engaged, improve customer service and outreach.  Learn why now, with more easier to manage tools, may be the right time for you to consider how you can automate some manual functions. How can CRM transform your sales management, customer service, and marketing? 10 Great Mobile & Web Apps for More Efficiency, Productivity & Sales There's an app for that isn't just a catchy phrase, it's gospel for today's small businesses that are relying on apps.  The industry is exploding with newer, better, more affordable tools to cut costs, manage operations and improve communications, whether they're in the office or on the go. From invoicing, file sharing, data storage, document management and more, learn how and why entrepreneurs are turning their ipads, smart phones, tablets, desktops and other devices into powerful hubs for commerce, communications and management.  What's New?  The Latest Free & Easy Business Technology Tools Sometimes, the best things in business are free.  Join us for one of our most popular workshops year-after-year for a look at great time-saving tools that won't cost you dime but are worth their weight in gold.  From free stock photos, to sharing files, from note taking to managing finances and improving collaboration among your team, there's a tool out there that can make your life easier and your operations more efficient. Biggest Email Marketing Trends for 2013 & Beyond Despite the explosion of online marketing channels, email marketing remains effective and cost efficient.  While budgets for email marketing continue to increase, practices are evolving, driven by the popularity of mobile devices, the sheer volume of email, social media and evolving reader preferences.   Join us for an up-to-date look at today's best email marketing strategies and how to transform your email from old-school to cutting edge for 2013 and beyond.    Building A Better Publicity Machine:   New Tools, Trends & Ideas Social media and search engines have ushered in a whole new era of public relations that has forever changed how businesses build relationships with prospects, customers, media and other key audiences.  Join us to explore how small businesses today are leveraging online channels to get noticed, promote their brand and create buzz.  What are some tips for generating publicity and how to measure the impact of your PR initiatives?  Today, businesses have more opportunities and more channels than ever before, join us to find out how to turn on and turn up your PR machine.    Can You See Me Now?  Search Engine Strategies to Improve Your Website's Rank, Visibility & Lead Generation Power The impact of search engines like Google on today's business practices is immeasurable. Research shows that page one search listings are the sweet spot of online real estate but how do you climb the search rankings, stand out above the competition and generate more leads? It's not luck, it' strategy and determination.  Learn how keywords, fresh content, in-bound & out-bound links, blogs and the on-page and off-page factors that impact your prominence online and the likelihood that your right prospects find you. The Google Tools That Your Business Should be Using Right Now Join us for a speed course in the most popular tools offered by the global search giant among business owners and managers from Drive, Places, Ad Words Express, Analytics and more. Learn how you can leverage these affordable, yet powerful, online tools to increase promotions, profitability and performance.     10 Hottest Trends in Websites:  How to Improve Your Site's Look & Performance in 2013 Did you know that circles are hot, photography is getting bigger and infographics are all the rage?  Join us for an exciting look at the biggest trends in websites today and the steps you can take, both big and small, to improve your website's visual appeal, navigation and sales-driving potential.  We'll be discussing everything from responsive design to the trend toward cleaning layouts with big images and the importance of social media integration. Register for only $99 by using discount code PBTC99 Register Now

Thanks to our Sponsors Gold  Lamar Outdoor Advertising PIttsburgh Business Times Pittsburgh Technology Council Silver  Constant Contact Duquesne University Center for Green Industries  &Sustainable Business Growth Contributing Dennis Piper & Associates JirehMobile Positively Pittsburgh Live Sprint SMC Business Councils

Before You Head Out, Check Cancellations Due to Hurricane Sandy

Before You Head Out This Week

Check for Cancellations

• Due to storm difficulties, PositivelyPittsburghLive Radio normally at 7 PM on Monday evening was postponed to Wednesday at 4 PM, Topic--Preview of Pa Technology Conference by Duquesnes SBDC
• No BS Marketing Meeting cancelled for Tuesday, October 30,  New Date Tuesday, November 6
• As we hear of further cancellations for events we have posted we will post on twitter at:  http://twitter.com/pospittsburgh and at:  http://facebook.com/positivelypittsburghlive
• Also your local network station's websites will have good information on cancellations.
• Please pay attention to weather and traffic warnings.  If you must drive, exercise caution where there is wind and water.  
• Stay safe as all of us Pittsburghers weather the storm together and STAY POSITIVE!

 

Joanne Quinn-Smith
412-628-5048
2009 National SBA Journalist of the Year
AKA TechnoGranny, Talkcast Host
Publisher, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com
info@pplmag.com


Take advantage of the PositivelyPittsburgh Alliance:
Post your Positive Events and Use Discussion Forum
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Positively Pittsburgh Live News! 10-22-12

Positively Pittsburgh Live! 

10-22-12

Listen to the show here.

Center Plate, First Annual Wine Dinner
Thursday November 8, 2012, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
94 Center Church Road
McMurray, PA 15317

"You're invited to Enjoy a tour of the Sonoma and Napa Valley through tastes of great pairings of Wine and Food. Join our Chef Mathew Helo and Wine expert Brian Hartman for this wonderful event. We will be serving a five course meal prepared and crafted to bring out the flavors of each wine. Limited Space is on a first come first serve basis and by reservations only. 

Cost is $55 per person so call Penny today at 412-337-0769 or click to Register Now!  

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Student Stars Sought for Equitable Gas Sing-Off at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2013

Equitable Gas Company is searching for musically talented students to audition for the company’s third vocal competition celebrating the New Year. The Equitable Gas Sing-Off is part of the upcoming Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2013, a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and continues the company’s commitment to opening opportunities for young people in greater Pittsburgh. Read the entire release here. 

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Don't miss out on the DanceAfrica workshops coming up for DanceAfrica Week!!
Saturday, October 27, 11am at 1901 Centre Ave w/ Amazing Chrisala Brown
Saturday, October 27, 1pm at 1901 Centre Ave w/ Incredible Brandon Albright of IllStyle and Peace Productions
Workshops are $10 for adults, and $5 for students

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Acoustic Africa: Afropean Woman

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Acoustic Africa: Afropean Woman, on Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., at the Byham Theater. This performance is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. Tickets ($23-$33) may be purchased in person at the Box Office at Theater Square 655 Penn Avenue, online at www.Trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. For groups of 10 or more, call (412) 471-6930.

Acoustic Africa: Afropean Woman

This live music experience offers a rare glimpse into the depths and richness of the African vocal traditions with performances by up and coming female African vocal impresarios. The Afropean Woman tour will feature Dobet Gnahoré, the Ivory Coast vocalist and dancer who has garnered a reputation as one of the most vibrant performers in world music; bassist and vocalist Manu Gallo, from the Ivory Coast, who gained acclamation as the bassist for Zap Mama and whose own music draws on rhythms of West Africa as well as funk, R&B; and Kareyce Fotso, a young Cameroonian singer whose music is an intriguing combination of Afro-pop, Blues, and traditional African music. Afropop Worldwide commented, “A beautiful and fascinating exchange going on between great artists…. 21st century troubadours…if you are in within range of any of these shows, don’t miss it!” Read the entire release here. 

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YWCA Announces 2012 Racial Justice Award Recipients

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the 2012 Racial Justice Award Recipients. The awardees will be recognized at the 21^st Annual Racial Justice Awards Dinner on Wednesday, November 14. Award recipients include: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Tim Stevens, Chairman and CEO, Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP); COMPANY/BUSINESS: Chauncey W. Smith, Equal Employment Opportunity Consultant, H.J. Heinz Co.; Management & Diversity Consultant, Pope & Associates; EDUCATION: Épryl King, President, Raising Achievement In Monroeville and Pitcairn, Inc; FAITH: The Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre, The Church of the Holy Cross; HEALTH: Paula K. Davis, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Schools of the Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh; LEGAL: David A. Harris, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law; YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT: Alexis Werner, Seeds of Hope, Shaler Area High School; YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT: Michael Sutton, Sewickley Academy, Class of 2012; Duke University, Class of 2016 

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RELIVE MAGIC OF THE BEATLES AS PSO BRINGS ‘CLASSICAL MYSTERY TOUR’ TO SCOTTISH RITE CATHEDRALThe Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) begins its 12^th year of performances at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with the Classical Mystery Tour, a special tribute to the Beatles’ acclaimed album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The concert, led by the PSO’s newly appointed Assistant Conductor Fawzi Haimor, will begin at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle.

Concert tickets, ranging from $16 to $59, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office toll-free at 1.800.743.8560, or by visiting the PSO online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org. Group tickets also are available.

As part of an education program developed for the community, a special package for families with children up to high-school age is available. Children may get free tickets if accompanied by a parent. Both the free ticket and a discounted ticket for the parents are available by calling  412.392.4819. Also, pre-concert dinners at the Scottish Rite Cathedral begin at 6 p.m. before each concert. Call 724.654.6683 for reservations. Three-concert subscriptions, ranging from $33 to $150, as well as student subscription packages for $24, are also available. Read the entire release here.

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Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents Good People Nov. 8 – Dec. 9, 2012

Pittsburgh Public Theater’s MADE IN AMERICA season continues with the Pittsburgh premiere of Good People, David Lindsay-Abaire’s 2011 Tony-nominated play set in contemporary Boston. Directed by Tracy Brigden, Good People runs Nov. 8 – Dec. 9, 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. The Elmhurst Group is the Production Sponsor. Performance Schedule: Tues. at 7 pm; Wed. thru Sat. at 8 pm; Sat. at 2 pm (except Nov. 10 & 17); also 2 pm on Thurs. Dec. 6; Sun. at 2 & 7 pm (except Sun. Dec. 9 when the final show is at 2 pm). No show on Thanksgiving, Thurs., Nov. 22. Ticket Prices: $23 to $55. Students and age 26 and younger $15.75 with valid ID.

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Capitol Steps
Sunday, November 4,  4 pm, Byham Theater
Nothing gets one in the spirit of Election Day quite like the witty, timely observations of Capitol Hill’s finest comedic troupe. Putting the “mock” in “democracy,” the Capitol Steps know how to bring down the house (and Senate) with their unique blend of music and spot-on, bi-partisan political comedy. In political satire, we trust.

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Access to free IT talks at Carnegie Mellon and Pitt
Posted on LinkedIn by Peter Brusilovsky, Professor of Information Science and Intelligent Systems at University of Pittsburgh

iSchool at Pitt offers a free information resource that lists dozens of IT-related research talk at CMU and Pitt each week. Browse the system or subscribe and get personalized updates. CoMeT | Home   http://halley.exp.sis.pitt.edu 

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Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival 
Viva Las Vegas, baby! 

The Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival returns for its 6th fabulous year! Friday, October 26th, from 6-9 PM the Rivers Casino will swing with sights and sounds of Vegas in all its glory.

More than 300 varieties of whiskey, scotch, vodka, gin, rum, tequila and cordials from all over the world will be on hand for your sampling pleasure. Unless your liver is the size Robert Goulet’s ego, you’re going to want to pick and choose carefully the spirits that you absolutely must try before heading downstairs to the casino or pulling the ripcord on your evening.

Neon lights, showgirls and sequined jumps suits (I’ll opt for gold lamé, thank you) as well as all of your favorite music from Elvis, Wayne Newton and Tom Jones will set the tone for the evening. Go ahead, do it up right. It’s our night to celebrate. And remember, what happens at Whiskey Fest stays at Whiskey Fest. 

For a full list of vendors click here. 

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Roving Pittsburgher Report

Mary Poppins

It’s really hard to mess up Mary Poppins but I must tell you that the ensemble numbers were legend and this has got to be the most fun production put on by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust this year.  Any time the audience starts to sing with the cast and claps along unsolicited, you have got a hit.  For a feel good time don’t miss it next year. 

Vertical RoadReview by Helene Vidovich and Martin ThomasVertical Road, by Akram Khan Company was a journey through the mystical. Using only a scrim and backlight, one dancer's shadow started the audience down the primordial path. What was this Whirling Dervish so frantically writhing, sending shimmers of shadow and light up and down the scrim – the Book of Life, a poem by Rumi? 
Lights up, scrim down, statues/dancers frozen, one moving figure and a set of runes -- we watched as the dancers were frozen, or prayed, or waited, discovered, disagreed, failed or eventually grew. Read the entire review here. 

Vertical Road Photo By: Richard Haughton

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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.

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 Pittsburgh Live! Special Preview Chocolate Blues 10-22-12

Positively Pittsburgh Live!

Special Preview Chocolate Blues

10-22-12

Listen to the show here.

Guests:

James Boggus, Director of Pittsburgh Chocolate Blues

James Boggus

James Boggus is a native of Pittsburgh and Worked in Information Technology for over 26 years before becoming an entrepreneur. He has been a part of Chocolate Blues for at least five years now and became Director of Pittsburgh Chocolate Blues in 2011. He has  participated in three events, and was the Nominee for Best Business Connector in Dallas, Texas in 2012.

James attended a Chocolate Blues event in Dallas and loved the environment. He had a lot of fun and ended up meeting Shelly Rice.

Shelly Rice is one of the America's leading authorities on producing successful business events.   In the last 23 years, she has produced more than 850 successful events including one of the largest, longest running and most fun networking events in the country, The Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festival.  "Chocolate Blues" is in more than 40 U.S.  cities and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of business connections and millions of dollars in closed business for her clients.  

Shelly is the founder of Be the Boss Magazine, Women Who Mean Business and the Chocolate and Shopping Shows. She is a member of Linkedin's Top Recommended Platinum Group, is the Community Choice Winner of the Blackberry Small Business Influencer Award in 2012 and was nominated as America's Most Influential Business Connector three years in a row at the U.S. Small Business Conference.

He always wanted to find a way to give back to Pittsburgh and realized Chocolate Blues was the best way. He wanted to bring this home and share with his community. 

 "Chocolate Blues" is a giant business to business networking event that brings together hundreds of business owners and professionals. This event features a business expo, open networking, door prizes, ice breakers, networking games, on the spot appointment setting, round table  workshops, a giant business card exchange, business coaching, brainstorming circles, book signings, media mixers, blues background music and of course, chocolate treats!

They are one of the largest, most successful and longest running networking events in the country...hundreds, sometimes thousands attend their events.  

The goal is usually 500-800 participants, but sometimes the crowds are much larger. For example 2,730 people showed up for a single networking event.

"Chocolate Blues" is in more than 50 U.S. cities and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of business connections and millions of dollars in closed business for their clients.

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 Pittsburgh Live News 10-15-12

Positively Pittsburgh Live News

10-15-12

Listen to the show here.

Slippery Rock University ranked 79th in NCSA Collegiate Power Rankings
The Power Rankings are an objective tool to empower student-athletes to find the right fit in a college or university, not only for its athletics, but academics as well, according to an NCSA press release. SRT was ranked 79th among NCAA Division II universities in the 10th Annual NCSA Collegiate Power Rankings released Monday.

The Collegiate Power Rankings compiled by NCSA Athletic Recruiting were calculated for each college/university at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels by averaging the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup ranking, the NCAA student-athlete graduation rate of each college/university and the U.S. News & World Report ranking.

The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup rating evaluates the strength of NCAA athletic departments, while the U.S. News & World Report rating recognizes institutions of academic excellence. The student-athlete graduation rates are based on those provided by the NCAA.

Nationwide, 312 colleges and universities compete as Division II members of the NCAA. The NCSA Collegiate Power Rankings included only the top 100 schools in the division.

Congratulations to SRU which had the fifth-highest Collegiate Power Ranking among the 16 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference institutions.

California U. of Pa. was ranked 34th, followed by Millersville University in 47th place. Gannon University and Bloomsburg University were tied in 72nd place, East Stroudsburg University ranked 80th, Mercyhurst University was 87th and Shippensburg University was ranked 90th.  That’s not bad for Pennylvania Universities. Thanks to Bob McComas for keeping us up to date.

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One Young World Welcome Exchange

Friday, October 19, from 8 to 11 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh invite local residents to welcome more than 1,200 One Young World attendees from around the world to the heart of the Cultural District. One Young World is the premier international forum for the world’s emerging leaders to address global issues ranging from education and sustainable development to the role of government and global business. Read the entire release here.

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Don Giovanni Cemetery Walk

October 21

Pittsburgh Opera’s upcoming production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni inspired a winning partnership between the opera company and Venture Outdoors. Don Giovanni, the unrepentant rogue of the Don Juan legend, has an important scene in a cemetery and is visited by a graveyard statue in the dramatic finale. What better occasion to collaborate on a tour of Allegheny Cemetery, visiting the graves and hearing stories of some notorious Pittsburgh philanderers buried there? Read the entire release here. 

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Computer Reach
Computer Reach is a technology outreach mission primarily serving the communities of Pittsburgh, PA. We have also reached beyond our own neighborhoods into regions across the USA, such as the hurricane-torn Gulf states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

We also reach out internationally to places such as Malaysia, Africa, El Salvador and Nicaragua where second-hand computers are highly sought and appreciated. Please see our stories and check back often as more missions are completed.

Volunteers from the Pittsburgh area gather every week to fix hundreds of donated computers. Computers that still work are refurbished and immediately put into communities throughout Western PA. The computers that do not work are recycled responsibly to eliminate e-Waste.

Please help keep computers and accessories out of landfills by donating unused or unneeded computers, in any quantity, to a local Goodwill of Southwestern PA location:http://www.goodwillswpa.org/www.goodwillswpa.org/goodwill-stores. Or, contact Dave at sevick@computereach.com for more help.

Donations needed:

Beth Lynn Eicher will soon be traveling with a charitable organization to Africa. The purpose is to deliver and teach undeserved natives in the use of computers. She will be there for 3 weeks.

All of the people in this charity are unpaid and even need to ask for donations to help cover their own travel expenses for this worthwhile mission. Would you please consider reading the below links and consider contributing?

This is the contribution link set up for her expenses. 

You can see Beth Lynn explaining this live on YouTube here.

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America’s Got Talent Live: All-Stars Tour

Wednesday, February 27 , Benedum Center

America’s Got Talent  (One of the shows on Techno Granny’s Tivo list when she is out) is fresh from its thrilling 7^th season. Now is your chance to see your favorite acts live! The America’s Got Talent Live: All-Stars Tour is coming to your town and features top fan-favorites from the show. Hosted by the one-and-only Jerry Springer, it will feature AGT superstars such as:

• 2011’s Season 6 Winner, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. (singer)
• Season 7 Mind Reading sensation Eric Dittelman
• Season 6 Sweetheart, 11-year-old Anna Graceman
• This summer's favorite magicians Jarrett and Raja
• Season 7 father and daughter singing duo Maurice and Shanice
• …and many more!

See the acts that wowed 15 million viewers across the country every week, and experience the magic and excitement of America’s Got Talent live and in-person! Order your tickets today with promo code TALENT before they go on sale next Monday, October 22: www.trustarts.org 

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Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland in the "Power of Pink Challenge" at Panera

Pittsburgh leads Cleveland 23,539 to 18,687 bagels sold in week one of the “Power of Pink Challenge”, but we still have three more weeks and much to do.

The city who purchases the most Pink Ribbon Bagels in the month of October will receive an additional $10,000 charity donation from Panera Bread corporate on top of what the bagel sale raises. Last year we raised $25,000.

We have teamed up with the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, the City of Pittsburgh and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and retired Pittsburgh Steeler Chis Hoke to help raise the most in the City of Pittsburgh for the Patient Navigator Program at Magee-Womens Hospital. 

Preorder your bagels here, or visit any of the Western PA Panera locations. Order for your departments, break rooms, waiting areas and lounges. Forward to your friends in business. Let’s show Cleveland we mean business.

Pink Ribbon Bagel proceeds will be donated to the Young Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation benefiting the Women's Cancer Patient Navigator Program at Magee-Womens Hospital which provides women with cancer the resources and support they need to help them and their families through this very trying time.

Since these bagels are only available in the month of October, buy extra dozens. These bagels are ribbon shaped and delicious filled with cherries, vanilla and honey. And they freeze well.

Thank you for your support of breast cancer patients who seek guidance through their rigorous cancer journeys.

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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO PRESENT THE SIGNATURE PRODUCTION  SALTIMBANCO 

After 20 years performing around the world, Saltimbanco will make its final curtain call in December in Montreal, Canada, the international home of Cirque du Soleil. On October 18 - 21, 2012, Pittsburgh will have its final opportunity to experience this classic and colorful Cirque du Soleil production that has performed in more than 45 countries. 

Saltimbanco will be presented at the Petersen Events Center for six performances only.   

Advance tickets for Saltimbanco are available now online exclusively to Cirque Club members through September 13. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.

Tickets for the general public will be available starting September 14 at www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

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Designer Days is Back
For all of you fashionistas looking for a designer bargain

Please be our guest at “A Checkout Line” Patron Party, November 8^th from 6-9 as we celebrate reinvention in a modern context at the Monroeville Convention Center. Purchase your tickets here.

NCJW is proud to honor the Singular Sensations; six amazing volunteers whose years of service and dedication have made Designer Days the longest-running fashion hit in town: Cheryl Braver, Nancy Recht, Joan Reich, Lenore Schwartz, Marsha Stern, and Rita Tauberg. A special memorial tribute will be made to Sandy Chernew who was the heart and soul of NCJW's retail and financial operations as well as Designer Days for the last two decades.

New this year - St. John Boutique featuring a variety of the St. John dresses, suits and jackets. Carl Herrmann Furs will return with a selection of new and gently worn furs.

Funds raised during the sale support NCJW services for so many people through our community outreach programs. Read the entire release here. 

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Mary Poppins Special Offer

Mary Poppins

Special offer - $100 Family Four Packs – only $25 per ticket! *

MARY POPPINS, October 16-21, 2012, Benedum Center

Tickets at 412-456-4800, trustarts.org and the Box Office at Theater Square

Read the entire release here. 

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The Ugly Duckling
 & The Tortoise and The Hare

The Ugly Duckling & The Tortoise and The HarePittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents CORBiAN Visual Arts and Dance in the Pittsburgh premiere of The Ugly Duckling & The Tortoise and The Hare from November 11-19, 2012, at six performance locations throughout the area.  

Performance locations include: Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, Sunday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m.; East: Gateway High School, Wednesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Marshall Middle School, Thursday, November 15 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Moon Area High School, Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Upper St. Clair High School, Saturday, November 17 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.;City: Byham Theater, Sunday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. & Student Matinee: Monday, November 19 at 10:15 a.m.  Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater. Read the entire release here.

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Roving Pittsburgher Report 

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Other Story Book Tales

Presented as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Children’s Theater by Theatreworks USA

October 12-14 in Various Locations Around the City of Pittsburgh

This is the 43^rd Family Series and is sponsored by Citizens Bank.

What an eclectic group of story books!  Of course the most famous is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and probably the most hysterical; my granddaughter Anaiyah is still telling the story about how he kept tricking the boy who gave him the cookie. Although being from the hip hop generation she also loved Master Man. Martha Speaks was very endearing to her because of the dog costume and the barking an incessant talking because that is what she and most 4 year olds do—incessantly talk. Read the entire review here. 

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Center Plate Restaurant Takes Center Stage94 Center Church Road, McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5300 by JoAnn Forrester 

Just Opened in McMurray—Center Plate

Penny Folino, former owner Folino’s in South Side and of Tom’s Diner fame. Penny’s back and are we glad! This past Saturday, TechnoGranny, Joanne Quinn- Smith and Nano Granny, JoAnn Forrester, took a ride over the hill and through the woods to Penny Folino’s new restaurant, Center Plate, in McMurray Pa. It is easy to get to, right off Rt. 19 South at 94 Center Church Road. It was a beautiful fall day and just right for a drive. And if you had to get lost (and we did, no matter what TechnoGranny says), it was the day for it with a brilliant blue sky, comfortable temperatures and a full tank of gas. 
It was a great day to eat at a new restaurant. I am so glad that Penny opened up shop again.This lady knows how to make you feel special and serve you scrumptious food. Hooray for Penny! 

We had a great time talking to Penny Folino and her partner, Lenny, as they told us about opening the new place. They emphasized how everything is cooked from scratch and everything is fresh and made there under the supervision of Executive Chef Matthew Hellen. As we talked, we sampled the food. Oh my! It was good! So good that both Joannes stopped talking just to eat for at least 10 minutes. Now that is some kind of record. Two Greeks and an Italian not only stopped talking but stopped gesticulating with their hands. 

Read the entire review here

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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.

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.