Allentown: Come Live Over Here

Working. Trying. Lifting.

Nice coverage from the P-G. 

Heavy too! 

Fwd: Danny Chew Fundraiser - Final Reminder

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Carol 

Dear Bicycle-loving Friend,
As you may already know, we are holding a Fundraising Event for Danny Chew  on June 17th, to help raise funds for making his home handicapped-accessible, as well as for the uplhighly increased living expenses that come with being paralyzed. He is temporarily living in Ohio, but is coming home to Pittsburgh in a month. Time is of the essence!
The Fundraiser should be a great celebration with  food, beer, music, bicycle-related games and activities, as well as Danny himself.
(For details on the event, please look below)

If you cannot make it to the fundraiser, but would still like to contribute, here is a link to help Danny: https://www.helphopelive.org/campaign/12584. We are also accepting gifts-in-kind for our Silent Auction and Basket Raffle (there is a form attached to this letter, and arrangements will be made to pick up anything donated), so you have an opportunity to participate in those ways as well.

Just for the Record, I fit into all this by being one of the original cyclists in the Chew Cycling Crew...Danny's sister Carol and I were the first to check out the Thursday night bicycle rides at the American Youth Hostels, then other members of the family became interested, and well, the rest is - HIStory.

Please see the attached letter from Danny...

Be well everyone,

Susan Richter

412-736-xxxx (removed by blogsmaster)

Here is the event information:
COME THRU FOR CHEW
Come to an exciting FUNDRAISER for DANNY CHEW, creator of the DIRTY DOZEN BICYCLE RACE here in Pittsburgh, and lovingly known as The MILLION MILE MAN for his goal of riding a million miles on a bicycle in his lifetime. He was paralyzed last Fall in an accident while riding, when he suddenly passed out: https://www.greatbigstory.com/stories/the-million-mile-manhttps://www.outsideonline.com/2138711/danny-chew-wont-let-paralysis-keep-him-riding-1000000-miles

LOCATION & MUSEUM TOURS:
The event will be held on June 17th from 4-10pm, in the large parking lot in front of the World's Largest Bicycle Museum, BICYCLE HEAVEN, on the North Side (https://www.bicycleheaven.org/). There will be tours of this massive historical collection throughout the event, and JOHNNY ANGEL'S MUSIC MUSEUM, (http://www.jaginchystuff.com/), is nearby and open until 6pm. The Museum is also located right behind the THREE RIVERS HERITAGE TRAIL, so you can even ride on the trail to the event!
https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2014-Map-and-Guide-1.pdf

ACTIVITIES & SPECIAL GUESTS:
4:00 - 6:00 pm:
Bicycle obstacle courses, activities and games for kids of all ages. Plus, ATTILA DOMOS, (unofficial, but soon to be official) world's-record holder for # of miles on a handcycle in a 24-hour period, and recent winner in the handcycling category of the Pittsburgh Marathon! He has pledged to bring two of his handcycles for people to try, and will participate in other creative ways later on in the program. (http://www.attiladomos.com/index.html)

THROUGHOUT THE EVENT:
FOOD, BEER and WATER for sale.

BASKET RAFFLE and SILENT AUCTION, with some pretty incredible items, many related to bicycling.

DANNY CHEW (and Family) MEMORABILIA TABLE, with DANNY present at the event to tell the stories behind everything!

OTHER TABLES AND ACTIVITIES, TBA.

MUSIC LINE-UP:
4:30-5pm:
CHERYLANN HAWK sings Children's Songs with awesome drummer Pete Shell www.facebook.com/cherylannhawkmusic

5:00 - 6:00pm:
JIM DONOVAN, drummer from "Rusted Root" & his lovely daughter, TUPELO https://www.tupelodonovan.com/

6:00 - 7:00pm:
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK ACADEMY http://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2013/08/12/Academy-provides-grooming-for-rock-s-next-generation/stories/201308120101.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYrAeu4UEIQ

7:00 - 7:45pm:
PRESENTATION WITH & ABOUT DANNY, with special guests and dedications

7:45 - 8:15pm:
SURPRISE MUSICIAN!

8:30 - 9:00pm:
CHERYLANN HAWK returns, with other great songs for grown-ups!

9:00 - 10:00pm:
STANDING WAVE with Steve Sciulli and Dennis Childers

10:00 pm:
MUSIC JAM and DANCE to close the night

Please join the fun, and for now, the conversation...Let us hear your ideas and any ways you want to get involved! We would especially love to hear from young people, especially teenagers who want to participate in the kids bicycle games, crafts and "safe obstacle course" area. When they are done with their 2-hour shift with the kids, the young musicians from the Rock Academy will be performing! PLUS, WE PLAN TO SERVE PIZZA (and BEER, for the adults...) around that time!

LET US HEAR YOUR STORIES!
If you know Danny personally and have had some adventures with him, we need your stories, either written or recorded via webcam, etc., for a power-point presentation that will be created in honor of the event. DEADLINE IS NEXT MONDAY, June 12th.Please send all entries to: DannyChewFundraiser@gmail.com.
Tickets can be purchased online: http://bit.ly/chewfundraiser
and are available at the door -
$10 Pre-Registration (until 6/16 ) for persons 12 and over
$15 at the Door
$10 Students
$5 Children 4 to 12 Under 4 Free
WE CAN ALSO USE ALL THE VOLUNTEER HELP WE CAN GET, BOTH BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE EVENT! Please let me know if you can help...DannyChewFundraiser@gmail.com

Keep checking the facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/885643608240335/

Links:

• Chew, Danny - Appeal Letter-2-1.jpg
• Chew, Danny - Come Thru for Chew Final .jpg
• Solicitation Letter - Danny Chew PDF
• Chew, Ganny - GIK PDF

Getting more people eligible to coach in Pittsburgh Public Schools requires a change in the city's charter

Disney, come on now.

Curling Trivia in Pittsburgh

Creating Literate Olympians Here!

Back in the day, I helped to start the Pittsburgh Curling Club. I wasn't around for long, but I was there at the outset. We should be curling on the South Side. 

In curling, the team that wins the game / match buys the first round of adult beverages. 

Art All Night's call to volunteers and artists

We will be there again. 

CALL FOR ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEERS 

The 20th annual Art All Night will be held April 29th - April 30th, 2017. This year we have a new location, 85 36th Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh PA. The show will be open to the public from 4 p.m. Saturday all night long until 2 p.m. Sunday. View art, hear music, create art, meet friends, enjoy beverages and make memories "All Night" long!

We invite you to submit one (and only one) piece of artwork during this one-of-a-kind neighborhood event attended by over 15,000 people each year. Artist registration instructions are available at www.artallnight.org where you can use the online registration system anytime. We HIGHLY recommend registering online as registration lines at the event can get long. Artists submitting art pieces must show a photo ID during both registration and pick up. 
All artwork must arrive READY TO HANG or be displayed. Wall mounted pieces must be ready to hang from a nail(s). A limited number of clips will be available for unframed artwork. Registration is Saturday April 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m sharp. We do not accept any artwork after 2 p.m. Pick up is Sunday April 30th, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Volunteers - We need everyone to help with this wonderful event by volunteering. Shifts are as short as 2 hours and we need YOU. Your help is the only way the show goes on and the only way it continues. Please help us put on one of Pittsburgh's great events. Check out the volunteer section of the website www.artallnight.org. 

Build out is Saturday April 8th, 15th and 22nd from 10am to 2pm at the warehouse, 85 36th Street in Lawrenceville. Please bring a ladder and screw gun and help assemble panels.
Video artists - Have you produced a short film, video or animation? Would you like to show off your work at Art All Night this year? The 2017 Video Lounge will feature a revolving playlist of short films by creative artists from around the area. If you have worked on a video or film production, we are looking for a sample of you work. Not your demo reel or product ad; but an example of an actual original production. Whether animated characters or live actors, sound or silent, comedy or drama, documentary or completely abstract, film or video; as long as you can deliver it to us in a digital format, we can add it to our revolving playlist.

Submissions will be included in a playlist running in a continuous loop at the site cinema. Sign up below and deliver your entry in a digital format to Art All Night via mail, appointment or download. The last day for video submissions will be Monday, April 24th.

Mosaic artists - We will again be creating mosaic and glass pieces on-site that will be auctioned off to help support the show. Check out the website for more details.
Art All Night... No fee. No jury. No censorship. 412-235-1950 

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Heather Lyke

http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/12094743-74/report-pitt-to-hire-lyke-as-athletic-director

New Pitt AD.

Christmas Letter, December 2016

Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season, of course…

I hope your year has been full of people responding to you with “of course.” The world needs more people saying “…of course”. Whether it is “of course you are welcome here” or “of course I’ll help”. Even “yes” isn’t as good as “of course”. “Yes” means it could have been “no” – of course means there was never any question.

The Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the phrase “of course” first appeared in the mid-1500s and was used to mean "belonging to the ordinary procedure; customary; natural." The use of "of course" within the phrase "as a matter of course" appeared in the 1700s and had the same meaning. The use of "of course" as a standalone phrase emerged in the 1800s when the definition, "customary; natural," was modified slightly to become, "naturally; obviously."

I have been reflecting on how blessed we are with so many friends, family, co-workers, and even strangers who respond to our spoken and unspoken requests with “of course.” When Erik (now 22), landed an internship with Strategy& (division of PriceWaterhouseCoopers) this past summer in San Francisco, it was the Bratt family who said, “Of course, he’ll live with us.” The summer was wonderful. Erik is now mid-senior year at Swarthmore College and has accepted a position upon graduation with Boston Consulting Group and will be living in Philadelphia.

Grant headed for an internship at the University of South Dakota in June and the Jorgensen family said, “Of course, Grant can stay in our home.” And when Grant decided to head for New Orleans to attend Tulane University, friends in that area all responded with, of course, we are just a phone call away if he needs anything. Grant approached first semester freshman year with his own “of course” attitude and made his way into a biochemistry lab. This research and community of researchers has become a focus of Grant’s freshman year.

Mark rarely is met with “of course” in his quest for innovative and additional aquatic programming for inner-city youth. But, he continues to fight back with “of course we’ll use the pool, have programming on weekends, and welcome all ages.” Mark ignores obstacles and is now running more programming and positively impacting more lives than ever.

At work, I have had an exciting year of expanding services with the focus that treating hearing loss can improve health outcomes. I am so thankful for a group of colleagues around me who respond to these ideas with, “Of course we’ll figure out how to make this work, and find the resources, time, and expertise to do all of this.” And, of course, I enjoyed telling Main Stage stories for The Moth in New York and Pittsburgh this year.

We hope you hear “of course” throughout 2017, and we hope you’ll think of responding with this phrase so people know there was never any doubt that you would help them, cheer them on, include them…and, of course, we wish you and yours health and happiness in 2017!

Catherine Palmer and Mark Rauterkus
108 South 12th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Case study on Bill Strickland

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpQ2lFWjhfLWtFM015b3VtV2JlMllLWmhkc24w

Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership case study on Exemplary Leadership Award winner Bill Strickland, Manchester Bidwell Corporation. This case study focuses on the replication strategy that is responsible for the many new centers opening up around the United States and abroad. 

Obama Academy Varsity Swim Calendar

Tips:

When in doubt, call. Coach Mark is 412-298-3432. Okay to text, but the text messages are not seen as quickly.

You can bookmark this page, or get the google calendar to work with your set up on your phone and computer. Subscribe to it.

Another google calendar is the one at CLOH.org.

Hiring the new PPS Superintendent

Hi PPS Board Members.

I have been following this noise about the hiring of Dr. Anthony Hamlet as close as possible and have some suggestions. STICK TO YOUR prior DECISION.

Sure, a storm has come. Blame goes here and there in bits, but golly. Plug ahead.

I feel that saboteurs are trying to derail elected school boards and are trying to damage Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The board voted 9-0 to hire the guy. To change your views now would spoil the desire for others to seek the job. None would want to deal with the mess in this wake, plus deal with a fickle board, nor confront the wire-pulling and outside influence from beyond the school board.

IMHO, two of those claims are bogus fabrications. An open source approach of wikipedia on a definition of terms is desired and should not be original.

There should be some repercussions and remedies. I have made some solution suggestions. Follow my Facebook page and http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com.

Triple his probation period.

Seek a partial refund from the consultant.

Allow for a super MINORITY to terminate his contract within the probation period.

Work harder.

+ +

Final two points:

#1: I volunteer to stand with you or stand alone and talk to the media, the citizens. other politicians, union leaders or anyone else on this topic.

#2: Furthermore, Let's begin again with sports reform, something that did NOT resonate with Dr. Linda Lane, sadly. Teaching our kids how to play well with others isn't an expensive proposition, and it is a great investment if done well. I volunteer to help to re-think the issues with PPS. System-wide athletics, sports, after-school recreation, swimming, student leadership with jobs and after-school technology have pressing issues. The city can't wait to get started on the heavy lifting on those fronts.

Good luck.

TMC article on Cleaner Rivers

Federal Rules of Cleaner Rivers Posted: 20 May 2016 11:40 AM PDT By: Kathleen Mannard April 13, 2016 The three rivers of Pittsburgh act as a symbol of Pittsburgh’s history, transformation, and future. During the steel boom, Pittsburgh’s rivers were heavily polluted with toxic discharge such as benzene, arsenic, and mercury. Forty-four years ago, the EPA implemented the federal Clean Water Act with the goal of cleaning American rivers, lakes, and streams as “fishable and swimmable” by 1983. However, the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny rivers did not reach that goal and in the 21st century we are still transforming the polluted waters. The Monongahela River stretches 130 miles until it flows into the mouth of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh’s Point. As recent as 2010, the Monongahela River failed the water quality assessment report of the Department of Environmental Protection and became listed as “impaired by sulfates”. Even though Monongahela was reported as cleaner in 2014 and no longer determined “degraded”, the 2014 Allegheny River assessment reported that the Allegheny was also “impaired”. Although these reports are not always positive results of river refurbishment, the Clean Water Act requires these biennial reports to restore impaired bodies of water. But what other means are taken to restore our rivers’ condition? Because the rivers are so vital to our city’s ecosystem, businesses, and identity, organizations such as the Clean Water Action and other federal legislation are crucial for their survival. In 2015, the EPA finalized the Clean Water Rule which places protections on wetlands and high-water streams that form the foundation of America’s water sources, such as the Ohio River. Specifically Pennsylvania wetlands, streams, and millions of people who receive drinking water connected to these sources are protected under these new federal clean water regulations. The Clean Water Action of Pittsburgh supports the Clean Water Rule because it speaks to their campaign of restoring and protecting Pennsylvania water sources to prevent life harming and life threatening pollution. Not only does this ruling protect water sources and people’s health, it protects our future with water sources affected by climate change and builds a stronger economy. By ensuring that water regulation has federal consequences, smaller stream flows are protected for local drinking supplies. Protecting Pittsburgh’s rivers means protecting all waters of Pennsylvania and beyond.

Mothers Day Weekend Radio Show -- Catherine Palmer tells of her mom moments

My wife's photo is on the front page of The Moth, http://www.TheMoth.org.

Listen to her story. It blends parenting, school music concerts and swim meet cheering into her story when the theme was blundering.

Link to the entire NPR show. Catherine's story is second, in at a 6:05 mark.

What is the excuse? Being lazy? Not able to think again? Lack of political will?

There is a 4-letter word that seems to get in the way of what you want done. The hurdle, it seems to me, is a concept called, " W O R K ." Hard work, heavy lifting, planning, follow through, relationship building, problem solving and general FIXING of things needs to happen. Sometimes the work doesn't get done because of another 4-letter word, " L A Z Y ." There are some who want to have others do the work for them. They hire others to do their homework. They use consultants. They have to use OVERLORDS as an excuse. Without the money to pay off the contracts and the others, it isn't going to happen. If the work won't get done because of a lazy attitude, that is one possible way to explain frustrations.

Another way to account for the lack of desired outcomes is smarts. Do they understand? Do they get it? Can they "think again?"
There are a host of other reasons why things lag in Pittsburgh. Mostly, most are smart enough to understand. And, BK is one who has shown his ability in the past to hustle and buzz and try from time to time. So, I'm not sure what to think in this case.

Mostly, if things don't get done it is because there is a lack of political will. They don't care. Gathering a room full of people with an agenda gets things to a CARING level more quickly.

Keep plugging.

I care. Others care too. Call them out and ask them why fumble?

----
Posted above on a thread about South Side transportation matters that seem to be lagging.

A document from JG has been released. Not sure if I should share it here or not, just yet.

New movie: Poverty, Inc.

Safe Sport

IB and College Credit insights

In 2015 - 2016, various colleges had various policies concerning IB course ACCEPTANCE for college credit. The kids at Pittsburgh Obama Academy in Pittsburgh Public Schools got these insights from their teacher, Mr. Ehman, the IB Coordinator and Film teacher at the school. He researched the schools based upon an expressed interest from the rising seniors. 

This complied list has the college name and what is offered to incoming freshmen in terms of college credits that is earned in high school. Do reconfirm this information.

ALLEGHENY:

Students may receive credit for a maximum of 20 semester credit hours (five courses). HL offerings 5,6,7 must submit to the school to determine credits.

BOSTON COLLEGE:

Each score of 6 or 7 on Higher Level Exams will earn advanced placement units and will generally satisfy a core requirement.

Film, Music, Theatre, Vis Arts = 3 credits

History = 6 credits

English = 6 credits

Spanish, French, German, Japanese HL = 6 credits

BOSTON UNIVERSITY:

Scores of 5,6, and 7 will earn 8 credits for the following IB areas.

Theater, Foreign Languages, History, Visual Arts, English

BROWN:

One or two Brown courses for a grade of 5 or 6 or higher, depending on the department.

History, English, Foreign Languages, Students must contact the school for all other HL courses.

BUCKNELL:

IB diploma recipients, with a minimum score of 5 on each of the six subject examinations, will be awarded six course credits toward their degree requirements at Bucknell. Diploma recipients who do not meet the minimum score requirements will receive course credit for only those higher level courses passed with a score of 5 or higher. IB Certificates students (non-diploma) will receive course credits for each higher level course passed with an examination score of 5 or higher. No credit is awarded for standard-level courses except as noted for IB Diploma recipients.

CAL BERKELEY:

Higher Level Exams ONLY. Passing scores of 5,6,7...

Film, History, Music, Theater, Vis Arts, English, Foreign Languages

CASE WESTERN RESERVE:

Case Western offers course credit for scores of 5,6,7 for MOST HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS.

CHATHAM UNIVERSITY:

Contact Chatham as Credits are awarded in a case by case basis.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO:

Credit earned for courses in the IB Programme may be applied to certain general education requirements or to electives as described. Course credit is only granted for grades of 6 or 7 on Higher-Level IB Exams.

CLEMSON:
IB graduates who score well on their higher level exams will be awarded credit. Include your IB Candidate # when applying to Clemson. Scores of 4,5,6,and 7 will be awarded credits.

English, Film, Foreign Language, History, Music, Theatre, Vis Arts.

COLUMBIA:

Columbia awards transfer credit only for exams taken at Higher Level. Students receive the equivalent of one year of credit (usually 6 points) for any Higher Level exam on which they receive a 6 or 7.

CONNECTICUT:

Students must have earned the IB DIPLOMA to be considered for credits. HL exams only, scores of 5,6,7. Credits will be automatically awarded for English & History. Credits may be awarded in a case by case basis.

DENVER:

The University of Denver offers college credit for students who have taken and scored well on International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exams. A maximum of 45 credit hours can be awarded. Scores of 4,5,6, and 7 will be considered.

DICKINSON:

Students who have taken International Baccalaureate courses will be granted general college credit for HL IB exams in which they achieve grades of 5 or better. The registrar can review credits for fulfillment of graduation requirements.

DREXEL:

Drexel University awards advanced standing and or credit to students who have achieved superior performance on International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examinations. Standard Level Exams are not considered. Scores of 6 or 7 are accepted for the following IB courses English, History.

DUQUESNE:

Duquesne University may award academic credits to students completing the diploma with a total score of 30 or above. Credits will be awarded at the discretion of a Duquesne University academic advisor.

Students who do not complete the IB diploma are able to receive advanced standing credit for IB HL subjects with scores of 5, 6, or 7. IB standard level scores of 6 or 7 will be accepted in foreign languages for a maximum of eight semester hours per language.

No credit will be given for other standard level courses.

ELON:

Credit awarded for Higher Level Examinations only... Score of 5 or above for Film, History, Language A, Language B, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts (You will earn 4 semester hours for each)

EMORY:

We will award three semester hours of college credit for scores of five, six, or seven on the higher level International Baccalaureate examinations in the subject areas offered in Emory College of Arts and Sciences.

Emory college of arts and sciences does not grant credit for the HL Visual Arts IB Exam.

Photos about to appear in the community newspaper Stay tuned squared.

Andrew McKeon, Communications & Marketing Manager, Editor, The Bulletin for the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation,
www.bloomfield-garfield.org

Facebook | Twitter | Subscribe to E-News

Reports that three of our photos from last summer are going to make it into the next edition of the community newspaper!

Meanwhile, other news brews too. NPR is going to insert one of stories into one of its shows, we expect. Stay tuned.

Missed you

Staff and Community Swim & Water Polo:

5-8 pm on Fridays at the indoor Thelma Lovette YMCA.

6-7:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays at Northside's Citiparks' Sue Murray Swim Pool, outdoors.*

6-7:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mt. Washington's Citiaprks' Ream Swim Pool, outdoors.*

* Citiparks pools are outdoors so practices are weather permitting. Feel free to get a yearly pool pass for the Citiparks fee of $30 per individual for adults. Kids get a better deal.

STEM jobs infographic