Fwd: 2018 Pittsburgh Dirty Dozen Bicycle Ride

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From: Dirty Dozen

Dear riders and friends of Danny Chew:

Another year has gone by and this year's edition of the Dirty Dozen is fast approaching. You are invited to participate in the 36th annual running of the event, which will be held on Saturday, November 24th. Proceeds will benefit Danny, who is overall director of this challenging ride he co-founded. If you register by November 3rd you will receive an additional discount on your entry fee.

Here are some of the changes in this year's ride:

• New starting location. The ride now begins at the Rhododendron Shelter on Lake Drive in Highland Park. By straight-line distance this is less than half a mile to the north and west of the Bud Harris Cycling Track, and can be reached by traveling north on Stanton Avenue.

• Official-finisher ribbons will be mailed out after the event to ensure that all riders who certify their official-finisher status will receive one. Instructions for certifying official-finisher status will be included in your registration packet.

• Separate women's event. Women wanting to compete can choose to ride in either the first group, competing directly against the men in an open event, or in the second group, which is reserved for women only.

Here are the links for this year's ride:

Main 2018 event page: http://www.dannychew.com/ddinfo.html
BikeReg registration page: https://www.bikereg.com/dirty-dozen-2018
The main DD page is here: http://www.dannychew.com/dd.html
Starting location: http://maps.google.com/?daddr=40.4789109,-79.9104809

We hope you will be able to ride this year and conquer all of the hills.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Pratt

2018 Dirty Dozen

Ellen, Ex-Obama Swimmer, goes to college and stars in an insurance commercial

Way to go Ellen!

Help in reaching kids, ages 14 to 21, for the city and county's summer job program before the application deadline

I've been working in April 2015 as a recruiter for the 2015 Learn & Earn Youth Job Program so that kids are aware and making their application for summer jobs. We go to schools and mingle at lunch period to help get out the word. But there are plenty of others that we are not reaching, and we could use your help.

As you see a kid in the next week, ask them if they've got a summer job and if they've applied for the city program.

The application is full of "red tape" in that the kids need birth certificate, a Social Security card (not just the number), proof of address (a copy of a report card with the student's name and address will do), and proof of household family income too. All the details on in an 8-page PDF.

http://www.ENECpittsburgh.org

Public Art Displays

From signs

From signs

I love this community blogging project that began in November 2008 called Neighborhoodwalk. It sprang to life at Pittsburgh Podcamp3. Everyone and anyone can play along. This month's assignment -- "public art."

Flowers present a great option for public art.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

Love in red flowers shown in this photo is for a bride in China. In China, the brides generally where red, not white.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

Pittsburgh's public art is nice. We've got these public dinos littered around town. These A-B-Cs came from the skin on the Alphabetsaurus that was designed by our neighborhood Elementary School, Pittsburgh Phillips K-5.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

From signs

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

We like to travel and with that comes an expansion of perspectives. So, this tour goes where we've been.

One of my favorites, this roadside speeding guy, looking a lot like Mercury with ribbons behind. He was seen while on one of our four trips to China.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

The slide show that follows has 64 images, each with comments. I am tickled by the functional art. Best best art to me is action and play among people in the streets and neighborhoods. There is plenty of art within a bike that serves as a carrier for parent and kids or else parked to hold flowers. There is art in the sidewalk stones -- and the Pennsylvania hex signs too.

Slideshow:

Do go and drink up the other offerings from the others presenting the Rustbelt Public Art Neighborhood Walk.

From signs

Bnus art image:

Public Art - not very Rustbelt-ish. More to come on Dec. 11

The Rustbelt Bloggers are slated to unleash a number of discussions on public art on Dec 11. You still have time to join us in this shared project about shared works of art.

Neighborhoodwalk Salute to Vets

For some reason, 11-11 was picked as a day to do this joint project for a "neighborhoodwalk." This gives good cause to offer up a walk that is a salute to all veterans. Honor, peace and wellness to all. Thanks for your service, in the past, present and future.

Let's hope -- as in HOPE -- that the United States does a great job in giving care to all our vets in the future with a robust VA Medical System. That is where the healthcare discussion should always begin.

And, let's HOPE that few men and women are injured and killed in service in the weeks, months and years to come.

Neighborhoodwalk -- p1

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

Taking a long walk on a long pier.

As we get into winter, those here, are getting set for summer. Tonight, we feel a bit too much like those in Christchurch -- as we're without central heat.