Positively Pittsburgh Live News 11-25-13

Positively Pittsburgh Live News
11-25-13

Listen to the show online here

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

POSITIVELYPITTSBURGH SPONSORED EVENTS: Effective Detective 2014 Marketing Jump Start Telesummit, Loudinis Rock 'n Roll Circus Benefit for Food Bank

CULTURAL CLUES: Judge Jackie Justice: A New Musical Comedy, Straight No Chaser, Sherlock Holmes and the Crucifer of Blood, WQED-FM Must Have Music Festival, MAMMA MIA, The Alchemist's Lab, The Fallingwater Museum Store in Downtown, Auditions for "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark"

KIDZ KORNER: Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!, Lights On Afterschool in Allegheny County, Toothbrushes to Peru,Puppet Making Workshops in December

WOMEN AND GIRLS ADVANCEMENT: Business Women First Call for Nominations

BUSINESS BUZZ: How the Peduto Campaign Made Pittsburgh Political History, Strong October Job Growth

HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS: Computer and Electronics Recycling Fundraiser Event for Spectrum Charter School

NON-PROFIT EVENTS SPONSORED BY BLACK TIE-PITTSBURGH: Donations Requested as Two Organizations in Pittsburgh Try to Help Out the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan, Glass Slipper Ball

ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT: Isis Egyptian, 8th Annual Pa. Technology Conference, Wine & Canvas Party

PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS: Rock football team earns NCAA playoff berth

STEELTOWN HERO: Bill Strickland

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TECHNOGRANNY? 

Isis Egyptian Café

POSITIVELYPITTSBURGH SPONSORED EVENTS

Can’t Attend? Donate here

2014 Marketing Jump Start Telesummit

Registration is now open for the 2014 Marketing Jump Start Telesummit! My co-hosts Weston Lyon, Joanne Quinn-Smith, and Becky Auer and I will be hosting 15 marketing experts from December 2nd through December 13th. We will be covering topics from PR to Networking, Copy Writing to Writing a book. All Free, and all online. You don't have to leave the comfort of your office or home.

Click here to register for free.

The Kickoff will be December 2nd at 3:00 PM when my co-hosts and I will fill you in on what is coming and answer questions about the Telesummit. I know I mentioned it is free, but ALSO since it is all online, even if you miss an interview the replays will be available through the end of Telesummit. So click on the link below (or copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://2014MarketingJumpStart.com ) and register for free access to some amazing information to launch your marketing new year! 

CULTURAL CLUES

 Judge Jackie Justice – A New Musical Comedy

Pittsburgh CLO is pleased to announce that the world premiere of Judge Jackie Justice – A New Musical Comedy will debut at the CLO Cabaret Theater on January 30 and will run through April 27. CMU graduates Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond are writing the musical, commissioned for the CLO’s Cabaret Theater with dramaturgy by Mary Jane Brennan. The show is conceived and will be directed by Pittsburgh CLO Executive Producer Van Kaplan with choreography by Kiesha Lalama and musical direction by Michael Moricz.

The CLO Cabaret is downtown’s hippest venue for the hottest new shows starring the area’s finest local talent in months-long runs that often extend due to audience demand. As an alternative to Pittsburgh CLO’s large-scale Broadway musicals at the 2800-seat Benedum Center, the CLO Cabaret offers an intimate, less formal environment for theatergoers to take in many first-run, sometimes lesser-known shows. Since its inception in 2004, the CLO Cabaret has produced 12 area premieres and in 2010 its first world premiere, ‘S Wonderful, which after its Pittsburgh debut went on to a successful multi-city tour. Judge Jackie Justice is Pittsburgh CLO’s latest new work.

“We are truly excited to be creating another new musical,” said Executive Producer Van Kaplan, “especially one created for our enthusiastic cabaret audience. Judge Jackie Justice has zany humor and some “breaking the fourth wall” moments in store. I consider the CLO Cabaret to be our “Off-Benedum” venue, like Off-Broadway, though lots more fun because you can eat and drink during the show.”

Tickets to this world premiere will go on sale on November 8 and will be available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or in person at the Theater Square Box Office. Groups of 10 or more should call 412-325-1582 for information on group discounts and special event planning.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER, BENEDUM CENTER | DECEMBER 11 | 8:00 PM
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the return of the popular a cappella, all-male ensemble, Straight No Chaser, at the Benedum Center on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $32.25 to $52.25. For information, visit www.TrustArts.org, call (412) 456-6666, or visit the Theater Square Box Office in person at 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Under the Influence Tour follows the group’s latest CD release of same title and will feature

Straight No Chaser, Photo courtesy of Andrew Zaeh

songs from this latest recording as well as other favorites-old and new. The CD is a re-imagined collection of the group’s all-time favorite songs, performed in collaboration with many of the superstar artists and undisputed music icons that made them famous.

Caroline Glaser, a favorite from this past season of NBC's hit show "The Voice," will bring what Shakira calls her "angelic" voice on the road this fall as opener for the critically acclaimed a cappella group. The Under the Influence Tour kicked off in Columbia, MO on October 16 and will hit Omaha, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Louisville, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Nashville and more over two months before wrapping up in Mesa, AZ on December 31. The tour follows a month-long run of club dates which launched in New York on September 7 where fans lined up two hours before the show was scheduled to go on to make sure they got tickets. The mini-tour took her to Chicago, Ames, St. Louis and Tulsa where she received rave reviews. Jerry Wofford of The Tulsa World called Glaser "sweet and bubbly' and said while her set up was simple, "her voice and talent was all she needed to hook the crowd." Caroline will also be playing a handful of solo shows during the tour. For more information, visit www.carolineglaser.com.

Sherlock Holmes and the Crucifer of Blood by Paul Giovanni

The game’s afoot! When Irene St. Clair calls on Sherlock Holmes fearing for her father’s safety, Holmes is intrigued and Watson is smitten. With every clue, this exotic mystery becomes more deadly. Can the master detective save the day, or will an ingenious villain stay one step ahead of Holmes at every turn? From a blood oath made over a chest of jewels in India, this thriller takes us throughout foggy London, from Baker Street to spooky Pondicherry Lodge to a Limehouse opium den to a boat chase on the Thames and finally back to Baker street for a surprise denouement.

Fun for groups and the whole family! BUY TICKETS

WQED-FM’s MUST-HAVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Classical WQED-FM plays music that you must-have in your life

From now until December 13, join the hosts of Classical WQED-FM, local artists, and members of the listening community as they nominate their “Must-Haves”—classic recordings or artists, performances, or new releases—and why these selections are Must-Haves.

Sweepstakes:

• Everyone who participates in the Must-Have Music Festival through a web or phone nomination will be eligible to win a colossal Must-Have Music Collection. The number of CDs in this collection depends on the number of participants in the campaign. For example, if 500 people participate, there will be 500 CDs awarded to the winner.
• Everyone who participates in the drive by signing-up on the web page or calling and providing contact information will be entered to win the Must-Have Music Collection sweepstakes.

How to Participate:
• Nominate your Must-Have Music by going to www.wqedfm.org/musthavemusic or by calling 888-621-6900.
• Listen December 5-13 for the Must-Have Music Festival on WQED-FM 89.3.

The Grand Prize currently includes over 470 CDs.

Mamma Mia
February 11 - 16, 2014 / Heinz Hall
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!

Everyone has fallen in love with the music, the story and the characters that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show. Now it's your turn to fall for this smash-hit musical that combines the storytelling magic of ABBA with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship.

MAMMA MIA! A mother confronts her past as three men return to the Greek Island they've not visited for 21 years...just as her 20-year-old daughter is about to be married!

To date, over 54 million people have had the time of their lives at MAMMA MIA!. Isn't it time you joined them?

Enter promo code SUPERTROUPER to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the public on Friday, December 6. 

Point Park presents ‘The Alchemists’ Lab,’ a unique comedy devised, written by local playwright with Conservatory Theatre Company students
Under the master tutelage of seriously funny playwright, filmmaker and storyteller, Gab Cody, Point Park students have created a work never before seen anywhere. Ever. This amalgamation of wild characters, intricate storylines, improvisation and stand-up humor is loosely based on Ben Johnson's comedy, The Alchemist, first performed in 1610, and twisted into a more contemporary satire. The wildly creative mind of Cody, a Point Park alum, fuels a theatrical experience not to be missed.

The Alchemists’ Lab opens Tuesday, Dec. 10 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Performances will be held Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. with one final show on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets range in price from $18 to $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. 

The REP announces Equity Principal auditions for ‘By the Way, Meet Vera Stark’
The REP, Point Park University’s professional theatre company, is accepting Equity Principal auditions by appointment for the production of By the Way. Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage.

Appointments will be accepted from 2 – 10 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Directed by Tome’ Cousin, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark runs March 21 – April 6, 2014, with a preview March 20, in the Studio Theatre. Casting details here. 

Corsini Classic Summer 350
Photo courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

FALLINGWATER OPENS HOLIDAY STORE IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH
The Fallingwater Museum Store will operate a holiday boutique in downtown Pittsburgh from now until the end of the year in a storefront on Liberty Avenue between the Harris Theater and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Education Center.

The downtown location of the Frank Lloyd Wright house’s museum store in Mill Run, Pennsylvania., is located at 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, in a property owned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The store will be open through Dec. 31, including during the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 celebration.

The store will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. It will have extended hours on Light Up Night and Highmark First Night Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh location will offer the same types of gifts that available in the main Museum Store, including a selection of Fallingwater items; Frank Lloyd Wright Signature Products, such as clocks, vases and stained glass; and products that represent good design aesthetic, such as items by Alessi and iittala.

All proceeds from store sales are applied to the preservation of Fallingwater, Wright’s masterwork that he designed for the Kaufmann family, the owners of Kaufmann’s department store.

In 1963, Edgar Kaufmann Jr., entrusted Fallingwater and the surrounding Bear Run Nature Reserve the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
“We are very excited to have such a high-profile organization taking up residence in the Cultural District,” said Kevin McMahon, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust president and chief executive officer. “Central to the Trust’s mission is attracting people downtown to enjoy outstanding shows and exhibitions, dine at a broad array of restaurants and also have the opportunity to have unique shopping experiences.”

KIDZ KORNER

From After School Buddy

It's been a fantastic fall at Afterschool Buddy®, with many exciting new partners, projects and adventures, including the launch of our brand new in-school assembly!

Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!
Thanks to strong leadership, vision and community cooperation in Bethel Park, Afterschool Buddy® debuted it's "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!" multimedia assembly to 1500+ K-4 students at five Bethel Park School District elementary schools in three days.

The bullying prevention project, endorsed by long-time Bethel Park Mayor Clifford Morton, approved by the Bethel Park School District and supported by Community Business Partners, engaged and encouraged students through live performances by Afterschool Buddy® characters and original videos featuring The Rainbow Kids® to stand up to prevent bullying in their schools and community. Thanks to everyone involved for a great team effort and a positive new template for change!




Lights On Afterschool in Allegheny County
CONSOL Energy Center was this year's home for another successful Lights On Afterschool in Allegheny County, presented by APOST (Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time). The free event featured activities, performances and a big Rally for Afterschool to celebrate the importance of after school programs for children.

Click to learn more about APOST.

Global Links
As part of our corporate mission, we believe it's important to encourage children to think far beyond borders. So when former Rainbow Kid Katie Seibert was named a Baton Twirling Ambassador from the United States to Peru, we were happy to support her efforts to spread cheer, presents and personal items to an orphanage overseas.

Thanks to Afterschool Buddy Board Member Dr. Jennifer Unis Sullivan, a Beaver County dentist/lawyer, we were able to send Katie off with a giant supply of toothbrushes to put happy smiles on children's faces as far away as Peru.

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST ANNOUNCES PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOPS IN DECEMBER FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE FEDEX GROUND PARADE
PART OF HIGHMARK FIRST NIGHT PITTSBURGH 2014

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces two Puppet Making Workshops, one for adults (21+) and one for children and families, will be held in December. The puppets will be part of the FedEx Ground Parade that takes place on Tuesday, December 31st during the 20th anniversary of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Education and Community Engagement Department will host the workshops taught by Cheryl Capezzuti, owner of Studio Capezzuti and creative director for the parade. The Puppet Making Workshops will focus on this year’s parade theme, Special Delivery. Participants will design, build, and paper mâché their work all in one workshop and their creations will be showcased as part of the FedEx Ground Parade on December 31st, at 8:00 p.m., along Penn Avenue in the Cultural District.

Photo: Courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
Workshop For Adults 21+:
Puppet Making Happy Hour for the FedEx Ground Parade, part of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014, Thursday, December 12, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh

This workshop, for adults 21+ and IDs required for entry, will include food, drinks and DJ SMI. This workshop is free; advance registration is recommended.

Workshop For Children and Families:
Family Puppet Making Workshop for the FedEx Ground Parade, part of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014, Saturday, December 14, 2013, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh

This workshop for children and families is free; advance registration is recommended.
To register for a workshop, visit: www.TrustArts.org/FirstNightPgh or call 412-471-6079.

WOMEN AND GIRLS ADVANCEMENT

Call for Nominations:2014 BusinessWomen First Awards
Presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times, the 2014 BusinessWomen First Awards honor the region's most influential business women at both for-profits and non-profits. They're looking for women from every industry and profession; women who've made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for other women and are leaving a mark on the western Pennsylvania business community.

Nominees must be female residents of western Pennsylvania who are employed in the region. A nominee should be an established business leader with a strong record of innovation in her field with outstanding performance in her business or non-profit or organization.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit the BusinessWomen First Awards page. Nomination deadline is December 20, 2013.

BUSINESS BUZZ 

How the Peduto Campaign Made Pittsburgh Political History
By Matt Merriman-Preston
May 17, 2005—standing on the upstairs deck at Doc’s on Walnut Street—we knew we were part of something special. It was the most upbeat Election Night party for a candidate that didn’t win that I have ever been to—before or since. Bill Peduto, a City Councilman finishing only his first term, had come in a distant second in Pittsburgh’s mayoral primary election.

Eight-and-a-half years later, we are all witness to something that is truly ground-breaking and remarkable. November 5, 2013, Bill Peduto took 84% of the vote citywide, winning all 32 wards. The range was a minimum of 70% to as much as 97%. There were even 14 voting districts where Bill won 100% of the vote. In January, he will be sworn in as the next mayor of Pittsburgh.

As anyone who has ever driven in Pittsburgh knows, it’s never a straight line from there to here. There were friends and allies who came and went. There were elections won and elections lost. I went from serving the campaign as a field organizer (knocking on thousands of doors and organizing coalitions of voters) in 2005 to being Bill’s campaign manager in 2007. The longest and most difficult day of my career was sitting with Bill as he called supporters one-by-one—not to ask for their time or their resources, but to let them know that he was making the difficult decision to remove his name from the ballot.

But even then, we knew that this was just going to be a bump in the road. We continued to organize. Bill continued to serve as a city councilman with a vision for a New Pittsburgh.

In 2013, Bill asked me to continue my role in his campaign as a General Consultant with a special focus on direct mail and voter targeting. I never had any doubt that this was the year that Bill would come out ahead. We had built the organization, we had the team, and Bill had the vision that Pittsburgh needed to hear.

Like everything that he does, the victory in November came in a dramatic fashion. In addition to earning the largest share of the votes in modern campaign history, we did this at the time when the Democratic voter registration is at its lowest point. This was only the second time in modern history that the winner of a contested mayoral election in Pittsburgh has outperformed the Democratic voter registration in the City, and we did it by a stunning margin of 12%.

It honestly felt great on Election Night knowing that we had achieved this electoral win that we had been working on for years. But that’s not the best part of my job. Perhaps my favorite part is knowing that the best is to come. So many of us have been working so hard to help Bill Peduto get into office as the mayor of Pittsburgh, and now we can see what a progressive, neighborhood-focused mayor can do for our City.

From our friends at Pittsburgh Today

Strong October Job Growth

The total nonfarm job figure for October 2013 in the Pittsburgh region was 1,188,800, and the year-over-year job growth rate was 1.7 percent, above the benchmark average of 1.4 percent and above the August rate of 1.4 percent. Charlotte had the highest year-over-year job growth rate at 3.3 percent.

Sectors that are doing well include professional and business services (up 4.5 percent), natural resources, mining, and construction (up 4.3 percent), transportation and utilities (up 3.6 percent), and education and health services (up 3.5 percent). Information jobs in the region declined 3.2 percent year-over-year, retail trade declined 2.1 percent, and government jobs were down 1.6 percent.

Over the five-year period from October 2008 to October 2013, the Pittsburgh region gained 28,700 nonfarm jobs. Pittsburgh's job growth rate over the past five years was 2.5 percent

In other economic news, Pittsburgh's Composite Cost of Living Index for the third quarter of 2013 is 92.2, well below the benchmark average of 103.9 and is the third-lowest after Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh's Housing, Utilities, and Groceries Cost of Living components are the second and third lowest of any region. The Health Care and Miscellaneous Goods and Services Cost of Living components are the eighth lowest among our benchmark peers.

HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS

Computer and Electronics Recycling Fundraiser Event for Spectrum Charter School
Drop off your old electronics & be entered into a drawing for a free local business giveaway! Spectrum Charter School will also be having a bake sale during the recycling event.

Where: Spectrum Charter School, Inc. 4369 Northern Pike Monroeville, PA 15146
When: Saturday, December 7, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Will Accept:
Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Servers, Hard Drives, Keyboards, Mice, Power Supplies, Motherboards/Circuit Boards, Cables, Speakers, CD, DVD, Tape and Floppy Drivers, Backup Systems, Memory Drives, Computer Fans, and Tape Backups, Routers, Switches, Wireless Routers, Access Points, Bridges, Firewalls, Cabling, Modems, and KVM Switches, Phones, Ink, Toner, AC Adapters, Projectors, Overhead Displays, Consumer Electronics, Gaming Systems, Wire, Christmas Lights, Cable Boxes, Radios, VCR and DVD Players, Typewriters, MP3 Players, iPods, iPads, Desktop Printers, Dot Max Printers, Monitors LCD and CRT

Onsite Data Destruction for hard drives will be provided upon request for a $10 fee

Televisions will NOT be accepted. Cannot make it on December 7th? Spectrum Charter School will accept donations BEFORE the event during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Questions? Call 412-374-8130. Sponsored by TeamLogicIT of Monroeville & Commonwealth Computer Recycling.

NON-PROFIT EVENTS SPONSORED BY

BLACK TIE-PITTSBURGH

Donations Requested as Two Organizations in Pittsburgh Try to Help Out the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan
The aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan has left thousands homeless, without food or shelter. Two organizations in Pittsburgh have stepped ahead to help those affected by this disaster and they hope to get donations from the locals to further increase their relief efforts.







One of these organizations is the Brother's Brother Foundation (BBF) that is located in the northern area of Pittsburgh. They have teamed up with the Philippine American Medical Society (PAMS) of Western Pennsylvania to provide assistance to those affected by Haiyan. They are requesting monetary donations from locals for the victims so that they can ship medical and other necessary supplies to the affected areas. All donations will be used entirely for the benefit of the victims.

ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT  Isis Egyptian Isis Egyptian Café has something for everyone. JoAnn Forrester and TechnoGranny have decided it is a favorite of theirs. Located on Brookline Boulevard in the South Hills at 815 Brookline Blvd., this restaurant is a mid eastern treat. We found the food interesting, not as heavily spiced as other mid east cuisine. In a little over a month, JoAnn brags, she has been to the restaurant three times. One of her favorite dishes Isalatet Batates (Potato Salad) potatoes, egg, green onions, parsley tossed with homemade mint dressing...it is so tasty.The Hummus is great and the Egyptian tea is excellent and is great for an upset stomach. Just recently JoAnn was there two days in a row sipping the tea and making her stomach feel MUCH better. The appetizer V-Arnabeet, a battered cauliflower is delicious. Everything we tried from soups to nuts was delicious. TechnoGranny’s favorite is Kushari Masri --Red lentils on pasta and rice. Looking for a moderate priced meal with delicious dishes- Isis is the place to go. What a nice treat added to the eclectic mixture of stores in Brookline. Great family restaurant and wonderful treatment by the owner, brother, and mother who is the chief cook. 8th Annual Pa. Technology Conference presented by the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center The luncheon keynote speaker was David Bishop, Fellow in Human Sciences and a Senior Designer & Researcher with MAYA, a Pittsburgh-based design consultancy and technology research lab. Bishop discussed "The future of Technology: Trillions of Devices all Talking to Each Other" where he reviewed technology trends for 2014 and beyond, from new products and gadgets to crowd sourcing, to the latest competitive threats for small business owners. It was interesting to watch him explain what a trillion was and also talk about how our washing machines and clothes will talk to each other because they will include microprocessors. If you read the book “1984” all of that sci fi stuff is now real technology! Wine & Canvas party by Donna Michele Baxter I went to my first Wine & Canvas party tonight on the South Side. Had an awesomely unique time. Check out my masterpiece and the side by side pic of what it should have looked like. Thanks to Shawn and Mecca. PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS  Rock football team earns NCAA playoff berth After watching other teams have all the fun for the last 13 seasons, the Slippery Rock University football team is going dancing again. The Rock were the No. 5 seed in the six-team NCAA Division II Super Region 1 field announced Sunday afternoon by the NCAA office via a videoconference on www.ncaa.com. As a result, the Green and White, who earned their first NCAA tournament berth since 1999, travel to fourth-seeded Winston-Salem State University for a first-round game Saturday. SRU, which lost a 42-38 decision at Bloomsburg University in last Saturday's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship Game, takes a 9-2 record into the NCAA opening-round game. Read the entire release here. STEELTOWN HERO From our friends at UrbanMediaToday.com Manchester Bidwell Corporation's President & CEO Bill Strickland featured in London Financial Times Front Page Story About His Mission of Hope and Educational Methodology The front page article released November 22, 2013 features Pittsburgh's Bill Strickland-President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation who shares more about his journey over the past 45 years doing what he says US state schools fail to do – getting disadvantaged kids excited about learning. Bill Strickland "Today, at a time when the 66-year-old Strickland might have considered retiring to spend more time with his third wife and their 12-year-old daughter, he still burns with a mission to spread his philosophy of hope and his educational methodology around the world. “I am type A. I can’t quit while I’m ahead,” he says." HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS MAESTRO MANFRED HONECK AND THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING WITH BEETHOVEN AND STRAUSS  For the sixth year, Maestro Manfred Honeck presents a special Thanksgiving concert at Heinz Hall as part of the BNY Mellon Grand Classics series on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1. During this celebratory concert, Viennese pianist Till Fellner applies his scrupulous musicianship to Beethoven’s beautiful Piano Concerto No. 4. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians will then bring favorite Strauss waltzes and polkas to life and deliver a few special surprises—like the Pirate Parrot’s special appearance during the Sport Polka (raising the Jolly Roger)!  Till Fellner (jean-babtiste millot) This entertaining and uplifting concert is a family event and the perfect way to complete the holiday weekend. Bring the whole family—children ages 3 to 12 may attend free of charge! The concerts will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets, ranging in price from $25.75 to $109.75, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900, or by visiting pittsburghsymphony.org. Each BNY Mellon Grand Classics concert is part of the Explore & Engage program, which includes pre-concert talks, exhibits, display boards and interactive activities that illuminate the music, composers and the time in which they created. This weekend, Pittsburgh Symphony Resident Conductor Larry Loh will conduct a pre-concert talk one hour before each performance.  The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus presents “Christmas Memories” Contact: Pat Martin lady10er@verizon.net 724-743-0949  Award-winning Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus, the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International, will present their annual show on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Rea Auditorium of Sewickley Academy at 7:00pm. The show, entitled “Christmas Memories”, will feature the chorus, chorus quartets, and a men’s Barbershop Harmony Society special guest quartet the Hot Air Buffoons. Tickets can be purchased on the chorus website www.soundsofpgh.org, from a chorus member, or by calling Suzie at 724-325-1615. A donation from the proceeds will benefit the wig fund of Magee Women’s Cancer Center. 2013 Competition Photo The chorus welcomes any woman who would like to sing Christmas Carols on the show to attend a rehearsal or call Mary Ann at 412-279-6062. Rehearsals are held at the Coraopolis United Methodist Church, 1205 Ridge Ave., Coraopolis, PA 15108 Monday evening at 7:00pm. The Pittsburgh Symphony would like to recognize and thank BNY Mellon for its 2013-2014 title sponsorship of BNY Mellon Grand Classics. Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ The second annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ will run daily through Monday, December 23. The Market will be closed for Thanksgiving but will reopen the next day for Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. For 2013, the PDP has increased vendor space more than 250%, allowing an expanded mix of ethnic and local traditions, including the addition of Käthe Wohlfahrt, world-renowned purveyor of traditional German Christmas gifts, local favorite Wendell August Forge, creators of hand-hammered metal gift items, including many featuring Pittsburgh skylines and other vendors offering fine Irish goods, Himalayan items and even a fresh Christmas tree farm stand with designer and do-it-yourself wreaths. Santa will again reside in Market Square for 30 days in his beautiful storybook home. Children of all ages will have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa while donating to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This year, you may also visit any of the 29 local Northwest Savings Bank branches to make a donation to the Food Bank and receive your ticket in advance for a complimentary photo with Santa. Plus, the Market Square Stage will be be programmed every day and every night with your favorite local, community and ethnic entertainment. First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown presents ‘A Live Nativity - Follow the Star’ Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown (FPCB) is hosting its 1st Live Nativity to bring the Christmas Story to life to the local communities. A Live Nativity has been a dream of the FPCB Children’s Ministry Team for years. This dream will come true on December 14, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Rain Date of December 21, 2013. As a gift to our local communities, the Live Nativity will highlight the Christmas Story through five outdoor vignettes with live animals, including two camels. The vignettes will highlight Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Coming King; the Angel’s visit to Mary; the Baby in the Manger; the Shepherds’ visit; and the Three Wise Men. We hope the Christmas Story comes to life using actors from our Church and live animals. A Narration of the Christmas Story will be playing throughout the vignettes. This event will provide our community with an opportunity for fellowship, song and family memories. The Church campus will be open as Christmas music will be playing, a fire blazing in our Colonial Room, decorated trees, Carolers and plenty of cookies, hot cider and hot chocolate. There will be Children’s prizes and giveaways. Key contacts for additional information are Mrs. Sandy Floyd and Mrs. Melinda Brown, as well as Rev. Dan Muttart and Rev. Dr. Karen Anderson whom can be reached by calling our church office at 724-443-1555 or visiting our website at www.fpcb.org. Fun for the whole family! This original Christmas Production will include, music, acting, dance and live animals. Special Musical guest.December 12 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are only $5, $10 and $20. Holiday Shopping Corner. Vendors welcome.New Hazlett Theater 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Put on by Brown Chapel AME Church Details here.  Christmas in Hawaii December 1, 2013 • 7pm / Byham Theater "His style and voice rival any of the rat pack and the like, in their heyday" - David Friedman, Disney Composer "Phenomenal simply phenomenal" - Jim Shorey, Jim Shorkey's Auto Group International Singer/Entertainer and Recording artist Mark Milovats brings his fun-filled family-friendly Christmas show back to Pittsburgh for one night only featuring his 15 piece orchestra, Santa Belle Dancers, Polynesian Dancers, some Hawaiian fun, The Elfin Ensemble Children's Choir and many traditional Christmas favorites from Mark's Billboard topping album "Just in Time for Christmas", plus members of Elvis Presley's Las Vegas band and other special guests. This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2013 All rights reserved. Listen to the show online 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.