PositivelyPittsburgh News 3-21-11

Positively Pittsburgh Live News from March 21, 2011

an alumni reunion happy hour

Thursday, March 24, 5:30-7:30 at the OTB Bicycle Café, 2518 East Carson St.

$5 donation

Enjoy free appetizers, drink specials, and catch up with the Coro staff and alumni from across all of our programs.  Learn about how to get involved with the Coro Alumni Association, or just come have a good time discussing WIGO, OARRS, and consensus building with others who will know what you're talking about.

Contact Kelsey at khalling@coropittsburgh.org or 412-208-0251 with any questions or to RSVP.

Live Rhythm, Jazz, & Blues

"Entrepreneurial Thursdays"

With Vocalist Jessica Lee & Friends

Musical Networking Happy Hour EVERY THURSDAY 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Little E's Jazz & Blues, 949 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 2nd Floor above Mahoney's Restaurant, 412.392.2217

Cover Charge: Only $5.00!

www.entrepreneurialthursdays.com, www.littleesjazz.com

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MARCH 24, 2011

Pre-show networking session at 5:00 PM

Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs!

Live music starts at 6:00 PM.

"Employment Opportunities"

Featuring Interviews with:

• Co-host Chad Zwigart, Principal Business Consultant, The Write Plan, LLC (www.thewriteplanllc.com)

• Varol Ablak, Founder & Chairman, Vocelli Pizza (http://www.vocellipizza.com)
• Don Priestley, Executive Director - Priority Two (www.ptwo.org)
• Mike Novak, Managing Director and Christine Luce, Director of Recuitment - Lunova (http://www.lunovagroup.com )
• Eric Harvey, Loud Mountain or boss Steve Loud Mountain (https://www.loudmountain.com)
• Mark C. Freeman, Federal Employment Opportunities
• Rick Cordes, Assistant VP & Branch Manager - 1st National Bank

(http://www.fnb-online.com)

• W. Terrence Glover, President W. T. Glover & Associates, Inc. (www.gloversearch.com)
• Community Interview with Linda Handley (www.BuildingBridgesForBusiness.org)

Backyard Composting Workshop

This workshop thoroughly covers the importance of composting, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways of using finished compost. Participants will receive an Earth Machine Compost Bin with attendance. To receive workshop updates by email, please send a request to the contact information below.

For more information or to sign up for a workshop, emailprccompost@ccicenter.org or call the composting hotline at: (412) 488-7490 ext. 226.

SBIR / STTR workshops

April 8, Wexford PA from 9:30am - 11:30am, May 11, Erie PA from 9:00am - 11:00am

SBIR/STTR funding is government R&D funding that requires no repayment, no equity dilution and no "external control." Technology-based small businesses entrepreneurs, researchers, and faculty seeking funding for R&D with plans to submit a SBIR/STTR proposal within the next 12 months should attend this a free Basics workshop. It’s for those who are new to this type of funding and for those who know the basics and now want to learn how to win these awards. Register for our day-long workshop taught by nationally recognized speaker John Davis.

Amber of Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons talks about her award

Tune into 1360 am at 5:15 pm today to hear Amber's interview on her award and her business (Amber's Amazing Animal Balloons)! You can try this link to listen online.http://www.facebook.com/l/4237a16ePFsyoaqDjJzHlYtPUCg/www.wmnyradio.com/prr.aspx

WMNY Money Talk 1360, www.wmnyradio.com

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Roving Pittsburgher

Beto’s Pizza, Banksville Rd.

Fresh sauce, pizza baked or unbaked. Got 3 pieces of pizza and fresh salad with mozzarella large enough to share and drinks,  $11.00.

Spaghetti Warehouse, Red Plum

Buy one get one spaghetti and lasagna. Got there and found out about Rollback Wednesdays- used to be $6.99 for spaghtetti dinner with salad or soup, now $4.99.

Get Free Fridays with international recording star, Tony Marshall.

$2.00 off all drinks and half price on select appetizers from 5 -7 PM. Music from 5 to 8 PM.

Sent in by Sunita Pandit, Ms. Cardiology

University of Pittsburgh, Indian Subcontinent Association presents

Zardhat Annual spring cultural program including group dancers, singing, and a fashion show.  Performing, positive pittsburgher Sid Pandit was in the fashion show sporting fancy Indian fashion called Kurta.  Also performed in Banghra  demonstration with the University of Pittsburgh group called Steel City Banghra.  200 Cross Cultural students and parents attended.  Nrityamala, Pitt’s premier Indian classical dance team danced first place winning piece called Kailasa. Won first place at Laasya 2011, Indian Classical Dance Competition.

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

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=467173&cmd=apop

News notes taken from 7PM Monday Broadcast of PositivelyPittsburghLive 3-21-11

(c) PositivelyPittsburghLive and Joanne Quinn-Smith 2011

PositivelyPittsburghLive, How Pittsburghers Can Help Tsunami Victims

Positively Pittsburgh Live! 3-21-11

How Can Pittsburghers Help Tsunami Victims

Pittsburghers are a generous lot and will dig into their pockets to help out even in tough times. So how do you know what is a safe place to donate your money to help out? The AARP suggest these organizations: American Red Cross, World Vision, Save the Children, and Mercy Corps.) With so many needs around the world we need to know where are money is going and that it is being used for the expressed purpose.

Today’s Guests

Lauren Chapman, Marketing & Communications Specialist, American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter

Susan Smith, Together We Flourish, a collaborative site that nonprofit organizations in western Pennsylvania are invited to participate in to help raise awareness about their mission and their work.

From Avoid Earthquake Relief Scams for Japan: Safely get your money to where it's needed by Sid Kirchheimer from the AARP Bulletin March 15, 2011

Q. I'd like to donate money for the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. But I've heard that scammers are setting up scam charities. How can I donate safely?

A. You're right to be concerned. Of course, there are many legitimate organizations that are soliciting donations specifically for victims in Japan. The better-known names include the American Red Cross, World Vision, Save the Children, and Mercy Corps.

Scams:

• cyber-crooks set up donation websites that appear legitimate to collect donors' money and their credit card information for later use in identity theft. These sites sometimes have Internet addresses that are similar to those of trusted websites.
• Another common trick is to send e-mails with attachments or links that promise to show photographs or video of the disaster but actually download computer viruses to your machine. The come-ons can also reach you as links on legitimate websites or search engine result pages — scammers know the techniques of getting search engines to notice and list their sites.

So here's how to ensure your donations are properly used — for Japan or other countries that may be hit by disasters:

Online

• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to be from charities or that promise links to photographs or video of disaster areas. Unless you previously made a donation to a particular group, and provided it with your e-mail address, delete any incoming e-mails seeking a donation.
• To find a charity's website and donate, don't click on a link that you see on a website or an e-mail. Instead, type the charity's name into a search engine. Legitimate nonprofits' Internet addresses typically end in ".org," not ".com."
• Do not donate via requests on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites. Scammers can be behind those appeals as well.

Lauren Chapman

• Marketing and communications specialist with the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter since May 2010
• A recent graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Lauren holds a BA in Public Relations and a BA in French and Francophone Studies.
• Previously, in addition to other intern positions, Lauren was an intern with the local Red Cross.

The American Red Cross

• A humanitarian organization led by volunteers                          
• Provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies
• Founded in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization
• Part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war and also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters
• Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.
• The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter serves 1.6 million residents, chartered in 1917 and is headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh.
• Helps victims with their immediate needs and also offers referrals for long-term assistance.
• Responds to a local emergency nearly once per day, most often a house fire
• Locally, provides relief to the victims of approximately 300 disasters each year, helps more than 500 families, and trains more than 37,000 individuals in lifesaving skills.
• Not a government agency and it relies on the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania to fulfill its mission.

In Japan:

• The American Red Cross has made an initial contribution of $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to assist in its ongoing efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance.
• An official at the Japanese Red Cross said, “The compassion the American people have demonstrated over the past week through their generous support to the American Red Cross is incredibly uplifting at a time when we are dealing with such an immense humanitarian tragedy."
• In addition, we have deployed a disaster management expert to Japan for a week-long mission. She is serving on a seven-person, international team focused on providing high-level support and advice to the Japanese Red Cross.
• The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million volunteers.

American Red Cross, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, 225 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

24-hour: 888-217-9599

- Visit http://redcross.org

- Text REDCROSS to 90999

- Call 1-800-RED-CROSS

Susan Smith and Together We Flourish

• Susan teaches and is active in various social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

• Together We Flourish is a collaborative blog that nonprofit organizations in western Pennsylvania are invited to participate in to help raise awareness about their mission and their work
• Our website has over 110 participating organizations and is limited to nonprofits in western Pennsylvania. The nonprofits we serve range from regional offices of national organization like the Salvation Army to local organizations that help women in crisis like the Crisis Center of Lawrence County

• Blogging is just one component of social media, but it is a great way to raise awareness about the real work that is being done in our communities. 
• Effective use of social platforms will help nonprofits improve the likelihood of someone being able to find them. Social media offers us a unique opportunity to increase supporters and followers of our work
• The key is understanding that these platforms are communication tools, but words are your only means of communication.  Therefore, effective use of words is key to helping others understand who you are.
• Good content is key to a strong following, but so is effective interaction. As human beings, we are more likely to follow an support people and organizations that we feel as if we know.
• The other key to successful social networking is “calls to action”. Tell people what it is that you would like them to do and then ask them to do it.

People in the Pittsburgh and surrounding area can help by:

• Being interested enough in the good work nonprofits are doing in our community to subscribe for updates on http://togetherweflourish.com/
• Share your thoughts by commenting on the posts the nonprofits submit
• If you are active on Facebook and/or Twitter, please share our comments and tweets with your friends.
• Offer to help the participating organizations through volunteering and financial or in-kind support
• Consider supporting the work of Together We Flourish by advertising on the site or becoming a sponsor.

Susan Smith with Together We Flourish

www.togetherweflourish.com

phone: 412-445-8699, e-mail: susan@togetherweflourish.com

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

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=467173&cmd=apop

Notes taken from Live Broadcast of PositivelyPittsburghLive, 7 PM Monday, 3-21-11

(c) PositivelyPittsburghLive and Joanne Quinn-Smith 2011

Delana Flowers is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent writer and 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.

PositivelyPittsburgh Events and Movie Screening

Sponsored Events by PositivelyPittsburghLive

And Movie Screening of Source Code

Get Free Fridays, Every Friday

Villa Southside, Celebrate Friday Early!  5 PM to 8 PM, Quickly becoming the "Best Happy Hour in the Burgh!"  Join TechnoGranny for a drink, not drinking this week because of laryngitis but she will be there celebrating Getting Free on Friday. Music by International Recording Star, Tony Marshall.

See addiitional info at Events at:  http://villasouthside.com

NAWBO's 11th Annual

Make the Connection

Awards Gala

April 20, 2011, Sheraton Station Square

Still time to honor a worthy volunteer until April 10, 2011, Ads accepted in souvenir annual program untilApril 12, 2011. 

Honor a Volunteer or sponsor here:

http://nawbo-maketheconnection.org/

Purchase tickets or program ads here:

http://www.nawbopittsburgh.org/

Remember, "The work is heavy and the laborers are few."  Please support our volunteers.

Screening Passes for Movie Source Code

SCREENING TICKETS TO THE MOVIE SOURCE CODE

From Summit Entertainment and Positively Pittsburgh Live

March 31 screening, in Theaters April 1^st

See the movie before its release on April 1.

Email info@pplmag.com, with title, Passes for Source Code. There are 50 sets of two passes, one per e-mail address. Still have some left but you must hurry, will not take anymore ticket requests after 1:30 PM on 3-31-11

A helicopter pilot recruited for a top-secret military operation finds himself on a startlingly different kind of mission in Source Code, a smart, fast-paced action thriller that challenges our assumptions about time and space. Filled with mind-boggling twists and heart-pounding suspense, Source Code is directed by Duncan Jones (Moon).

Tamari Takes Food Preparation to An Art Form

Tamari  Takes Food Preparation to An Art Form

by

James Loevner

Lawrenceville's award-winning Tamari brings Chino-Latino fusion cuisine to new heights, providing Pittsburghers with a glorious global flavor mix.  The chic room glistens with its crinkled copper-sheet back bar, dark woods and flattering lighting while service is attentive and friendly, never fawning.  An upstairs lounge provides a secondary seating area to the tidy ground floor dining space.  You're quickly made to feel like an old friend at this elegant bistro where chef Roger Li and owner Allen Chen have assembled a menu of small-plate tapas, entrees and creative sushi selections emphasizing ingredients and techniques from disparate continents.  Tamari's open-grill concept provides charming theater, bringing exciting sound and scent to the room's enthusiastic diners. 

We chose a flight of tapas, beginning with the decadently lush chipotle tuna tartar.  A disk of silken fish cubes subtly commingled with smoky, sweet pepper puree was topped by a layer of creme fraiche infused with citrus yuzu, finally surmounted by a crown of wasabi-gilded tobiko roe -- sparkling green jewels.  

This stunning color and texture mix was bested only by the delirious blend of flavors: rich flesh, cool dairy and the bright pop of tiny, briny fish eggs.  Spectacular and a must-have. 

Next came a mushroom salad, composed of a masterful blend of low and high palate notes.  Warm bass provided by sauteed shiitake and oyster mushrooms, mid-tones of thin-sliced raw fennel and the pleasantly bitter high of watercress all fused to create harmonious melody.  Marrying the vegetables was a salty, protein-inflected dressing with a kiss of sweet while the lengthy tendrils of watercress provided pretty visual counterpoint to the chunky nubbins of fungi.

For our third tapa, we enjoyed the oxtail tortellini with sweetbreads.  Here, four deep-fried pasta packets filled with shreds of meltingly tender oxtail share space with a like number of half dollar-sized sauteed rounds of lightly breaded veal sweetbreads.  Underneath, a thin pool of coral-colored lobster emulsion holds center of the plate with twin dabs of transparent green-tinged cilantro oil abutting left and right.  Sublime hues and a delight of texture -- the crunch of each protein's shell played against their tender fillings, both sauces roundly embracing all.

We followed our tapas with a shared entree of osso bucco, uniquely presented with a sublime vegetable trio.  The unctuous, unassailably tender veal saw its upright bone gilded with twin smears of roasted red pepper coulis.  To either side of the adequate if not generously portioned shank were the every-bit-equal stars of this dish -- a veritable veggie trifecta of braised kale, caramelized fennel and shatteringly crisp straws of gossamer fried leek.  The kitchen shows their mastery here of all things from the ground as each vegetable had every bit of flavor nuance coaxed from within, the mix providing proud company to the meat.

As our schedule did not allow for dessert, we vowed to sample the kitchen's ways with the sweet on a return visit, which there will surely be.  Warm weather soon upon us, the restaurant's outdoor patio will again be open and this stalwart of the Lawrenceville scene rolls into yet another season of providing ingenious fare via its compelling blend of culinary cultural reference.  Evoking its condiment namesake, four-year old Tamari continues to build its dishes upon a solid conceptual foundation; we can hardly wait to see what delights this always evolving menu will bring next.

Tamari

 3519 Butler Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15201-1368
(412) 325-3435

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 "Designer and writer Jim Loevner's vintage-themed greeting card line kardiac (www.kardiac.net) can be found in the best retailers and museum shops coast-to coast and abroad."