From: "Greg Erickson, Community Health Funding Report." <offers@cdpublications.com>
While many believe that the billions in the recently passed Healthcare Reform Act are just for healthcare, one of the best kept secrets in Washington is that the legislation channels millions in funding to other areas of vital interest to other nonprofits, tribes and local governments. This includes, but is not limited to, funding for social services, senior programs, services for low-income families, funding for disabilities, and much more! The analysis, by staff with online grant news services Community Health Funding Report and Federal and Foundation Assistance Monitor, uncovered many opportunities in the 2500- page legislation that nonprofits that are not health related can pursue.
Here's an example of just one:
Reform Package Expands $50M Home Visitation Program -- The new healthcare reform laws include significant expansion of the $50 million Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visitation Grant Program which provides grants to states to improve in-home services for children in at-risk communities.
Rules for distributing these Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act funds are being put together by the HHS and Education departments. Expect an interim guidance to be issued soon.
******************************************
This is good news, but the key question is - -how can organizations tap this and other infusions of federal funds? How can they get the edge on other grantseekers – and stay on top of deadlines, program changes and announcements? Plus, how can they get inside information that can increase one's chances for tapping new funding—especially when the legislation is so massive and complex?
For more details on the many nonhealth related funding opportunities in the legislation that nonprofits and local governments can tap, a special teleconference on “Finding and Winning Hidden Funding Opportunities in the New Health Reform Act” is being held Thursday, May 20, from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.The teleconference, sponsored by CD Publications' grants analysts Ray Sweeney and Frank Klimko, senior editors of Federal and Foundation Assistance Monitor and Children & Youth Funding Report, will guide listeners through the many grant possibilities in the legislation, with a unique, Washington insider's perspective on where the money is and how tap it.
**************************************************************
A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AND THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS! PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY TO ENSURE A SPACE AT THE TELECONFERENCE!
****************************************************************
And providing our panelists with extensive background and his own authoritative insights is Greg Erickson, lead grants researcher with Community Health Funding Report, a widely read and authoritative report on federal and private funding for public health for over 20 years!
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this fast-paced, info-packed overview:To register or learn more about the conference, simply click on the following link: http://www.cdpublications.com/store/189 Or call us toll-free at 800-666-6380. Registration is open until all lines are filled, but space is limited and on a first-come basis.
- How and where the Act's $3 billion in appropriations are being allocated for new and existing programs.
- How to keep an eye on the funding flow to ensure you don't miss or overlook opportunities.
- How to improve your odds for success by gaining access to an invaluable, proprietary grant deadline calendar -- one the feds will never tell you about – and much more!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Fw: Analysis of Health Reform Act Shows Millions in Funding for Nonhealth-Related Organizations
Fw: TJTT for Wednesday, May 5. (A Planning Meeting)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: "Henry A. Jackson" <henryajackson@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 17:26:36 -0400
To: Henry A Jackson<henryajackson@comcast.net>
Subject: TJTT for Wednesday, May 5. (A Planning Meeting)
THOMAS JEFFERSON THINK TANK
May 5, 2010
TJTT for Wednesday, May 5.
Those who choose will meet at Silvioni’s at around 7 PM for a discussion on the future plans over the next year or so for the TJTT.
What should we do for the monthly meeting?
Should we always have a speaker?
Should we emphasize or de-emphasize politics, Washington DC, Republican or Democrat or Libertarian or etc?
Is past History and peoples experiences valuable to share. Like: Vietnam War, WWII, Korea, The various Gulf wars, Iraq out of Kuwait, Iraq II, potential for Iran over nukes, Afghanistan, etc?
How are we to “Market” the monthly TJTT meetings?
As you know these email notices have been late as of late. Should our planning be two months in advance, so that today you know what next month’s meeting will be?
Should we publicize on social networking sites on the web? Get feedback on the same?
Is Thomas Jefferson still relevant in the days of Barack Obama?
Is Silvioni’s ok, or would you like a change? To where?
Given all the groups having many meetings weekly on various topics from guns to politics, is there still a place for the TJTT in this mix?
What topics would you like to hear dwelt with? Are we missing topics that you think are important? What would attract you?
Why do you come or not come on the first Wednesday of each month? Recently we have had low attendance. We must be doing something wrong.
Do you have any personal issues that if we changed would cause or allow you to attend more often?
These and other questions will be probed during this May meeting tomorrow.
Please feel free to hit reply and add to this discussion. I will take your ideas to the meeting with me.
And also feel free to reply and say REMOVE. Promptly it will be done.
Henry Jackson
We will meet on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 located at Silvioni’s.
| Email list removal directions. Just reply and say remove. You will promptly be taken off the TJTT list. Or send an email to henryjackson@iglide.net and let us know you want removed. Thanks. |
Fw: Policy Brief: Candidates Spar Over Allegheny County Jobs: Who is Right?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: "Allegheny Institute" <aipp@alleghenyinstitute.org>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 09:46:06 -0400
To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"><Invalid address>
Subject: Policy Brief: Candidates Spar Over Allegheny County Jobs: Who is Right?
Policy Brief
An electronic publication of
The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy
May 4, 2010 Volume 10, Number 23
Candidates Spar Over Allegheny County Jobs: Who is Right?
Two candidates vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination have questioned the accuracy of County Executive Onorato's campaign ads regarding claims of job creation and are suggesting they are misleading. Onorato's spokesperson fired back at the competitors in a Tribune Review news report saying, "At a time when the entire country is struggling, Allegheny County is performing better (in employment) than the state and the nation." And he went on to say, "it's performing better for a reason," giving credit to the Executive's efforts to attract economic development funding, balance the budget and hold the line on property taxes.
There are two big questions arising out of this confrontation and the spokesperson's explanation of the County's alleged superior performance. First, who has the better case regarding the County's jobs performance and second, are the spokesperson's reasons for claiming the County is performing better empty rhetoric?
Let's review the facts. If we look only at the period from September 2008 to February 2010, the time frame for the worst part of the employment downturn, it is true that Allegheny County's unemployment rate has not risen as sharply as in the state and nation. In the County, the rate climbed from 5.0 percent in September 2008 to 8.2 percent in February 2010. Meanwhile, over the same period, Pennsylvania's rate rose from 5.6 to 8.9 percent and the nation's rate climbed from 6.2 to 9.7 percent, touching 10.1 percent in October 2009.
On the basis of these statistics, one could argue that the County has performed a little better than the state and nation in terms of the percentage point increase in unemployment rate during the worst of the recession. Similarly, the number of employed Allegheny County residents fell 3.2 percent over the period , while the number of U.S. jobholders slumped by 4.2 percent. Meantime, Pennsylvania's jobholder count dropped by 3.7 percent.
And although it is correct to say Allegheny County is doing marginally better during the recession, it is important to bear in mind that the County had much weaker employment gains during the four and a half years leading up to the recession—beginning in first quarter 2004 when the current Chief Executive took office and ending in mid 2008 just as the full brunt of the recession was about to hit. Over that period, jobholders in the nation rose 5.4 percent while employed County residents climbed only 2.3 percent.
Furthermore, the pre-recession growth in private non-farm payroll jobs as measured by the separate establishment survey showed vastly different percentage gains for the County and nation. For the four years from third quarter 2004 to the third quarter 2008, the nation's payrolls rose by 4.2 percent compared to a very slender 0.4 percent pickup in Allegheny County. In short, the County's private sector jobs growth was anemic at best; certainly not something any politician would want to brag about.
The County's marginally better performance during the recession is traced to two principal factors. One, there was no housing boom and subsequent collapse resulting in huge losses of construction employment, although construction jobs have fallen considerably. Second, the County's industry mix that has been decades in the making is a major explanation of the County's "better" performance during the latest recession. For example, in 2004 manufacturing jobs in Allegheny County represented only 7.2 percent of payroll employment. By contrast, in the nation, manufacturing accounted for 13 percent of private payroll jobs. Thus a 10 percent decline in manufacturing jobs in both the County and nation will produce a far greater percentage decline in the overall job count in the nation than it will in the County.
By the same token, in 2004 non-government education and health care accounted for 22.5 percent of establishment payroll jobs in Allegheny County and only 15.4 percent nationally. These two sectors are not only recession resistant but have shown an ability to grow even during the slowdown in the economy. It is reasonable to conclude that, given its much lower susceptibility to overall job losses during a recession, the County should be expected to perform better than the nation in terms of unemployment rates. This is especially true in light of the absence of a housing boom and mortgage crisis in the County to trigger a massive decline in construction and a sharp jump in foreclosures.
All told, there is not much credit to be assigned to County policies for the marginally better employment situation during the latest recession. However, County and state policies have a lot to do with the County's slow growth prior to the recession. Very high property taxes for combined school, county and municipal levies, high corporate tax rates, burdensome labor regulations including prevailing wage requirements, a very low ranking for litigiousness, and over dependence on subsidies and top down management of development all act in concert to make Pennsylvania and Allegheny County unattractive to businesses who aren't receiving huge handouts—handouts necessitated by the litany of obstacles to earning a healthy return on investment.
Finally, in regards to the spokesperson's claim that the credit for the good jobs performance goes to the Executive for his policies and actions, it should be noted (1), that balancing the budget is a requirement of the County Charter and (2), that while the County's property taxes have not risen, many school districts and municipalities have continued to raise taxes and those amount to 80 percent or more of the average property tax bill and (3), the County has imposed an alcoholic drink and car rental tax. It is also important to note that property owners who have been getting very favorable treatment by way of assessments that are substantially below market value will be in for a rude awakening as a result of the long delayed and court ordered reassessments the Executive fought so hard. That list could include many commercial properties.
Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President
For more information on this and other topics, please visit our web site: alleghenyinstitute.org
Thank you for your support.
You are receiving this e-mail because of a subscription with the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.
If you no longer wish to receive our e-mails you may unsubscribe by responding to this e-mail and typing unsubscribe in the subject line.
Bill Gates was the bad one. Appleholes!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Appholes | ||||
| ||||
Russ Diamond Calls for Letter Writing Campaign to Judge about to sentence Mike Veon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reform activist and PACleanSweep founder Russ Diamond today called for a statewide letter writing campaign to the Honorable Richard A. Lewis, the Dauphin County Common Pleas judge scheduled to sentence former state Representative Mike Veon on June 18 for crimes he was convicted of committing while in office.
"Every Pennsylvanian offended by corruption in Harrisburg or concerned about the Commonwealth's future should pick up a pen and voice their opinion to Judge Lewis," Diamond said. "We cannot have a repeat of what happened in the Vince Fumo case."
Fumo, a former state Senator found guilty last year on 137 counts related to public corruption, received a mere 55 months in prison for his crimes. The sentence fell far short of the 11-14 years recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter received hundreds of letters from political figures and Fumo allies, including Governor Ed Rendell, asking for leniency prior to sentencing.
"I'm sure Mike Veon already has politicos writing favorable letters praising the alleged good deeds he performed with other peoples' money. That must be counterbalanced by letters from his victims, the taxpayers and voters of Pennsylvania," added Diamond.
Last week, Diamond mailed a letter to Lewis to underscore the "far more insidious and serious implications" of Veon's crimes for Pennsylvania.
"In conspiring to illegally subvert the electoral process with public funds, Mr. Veon knowingly and deliberately undermined one of the very cornerstones of a free society. This is especially injurious to the average citizen of this Commonwealth, for whom elections stand as the only practical and direct method of objecting to certain acts of government."
Diamond's letter closed by asking Lewis to consider the impact Veon's crimes have had on public confidence and noting that a strong message may help to improve confidence in Pennsylvania's judicial system, which itself has suffered a number of blows recently.
"I urge you to sentence Mr. Veon accordingly, taking into account not just the monetary figures associated with his crimes, but also the damage he has knowingly and deliberately inflicted upon the electoral process and public confidence in the government and elected servants of this Commonwealth.
"The nature of Mr. Veon's crimes calls for a stern response from another cornerstone of a free society: Justice. Although Justice has unfortunately been tarnished in Pennsylvania by allegations of deliberate injustice in another county, my hope is that your decision will serve to repair some of that damage as well."
Diamond urged all concerned citizens to be polite and thoughtful when writing to any public servant.
For more information: russ.diamond@comcast.net, 717.383.3025
Reform activist and PACleanSweep founder Russ Diamond today called for a statewide letter writing campaign to the Honorable Richard A. Lewis, the Dauphin County Common Pleas judge scheduled to sentence former state Representative Mike Veon on June 18 for crimes he was convicted of committing while in office.
"Every Pennsylvanian offended by corruption in Harrisburg or concerned about the Commonwealth's future should pick up a pen and voice their opinion to Judge Lewis," Diamond said. "We cannot have a repeat of what happened in the Vince Fumo case."
Fumo, a former state Senator found guilty last year on 137 counts related to public corruption, received a mere 55 months in prison for his crimes. The sentence fell far short of the 11-14 years recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter received hundreds of letters from political figures and Fumo allies, including Governor Ed Rendell, asking for leniency prior to sentencing.
"I'm sure Mike Veon already has politicos writing favorable letters praising the alleged good deeds he performed with other peoples' money. That must be counterbalanced by letters from his victims, the taxpayers and voters of Pennsylvania," added Diamond.
Last week, Diamond mailed a letter to Lewis to underscore the "far more insidious and serious implications" of Veon's crimes for Pennsylvania.
"In conspiring to illegally subvert the electoral process with public funds, Mr. Veon knowingly and deliberately undermined one of the very cornerstones of a free society. This is especially injurious to the average citizen of this Commonwealth, for whom elections stand as the only practical and direct method of objecting to certain acts of government."
Diamond's letter closed by asking Lewis to consider the impact Veon's crimes have had on public confidence and noting that a strong message may help to improve confidence in Pennsylvania's judicial system, which itself has suffered a number of blows recently.
"I urge you to sentence Mr. Veon accordingly, taking into account not just the monetary figures associated with his crimes, but also the damage he has knowingly and deliberately inflicted upon the electoral process and public confidence in the government and elected servants of this Commonwealth.
"The nature of Mr. Veon's crimes calls for a stern response from another cornerstone of a free society: Justice. Although Justice has unfortunately been tarnished in Pennsylvania by allegations of deliberate injustice in another county, my hope is that your decision will serve to repair some of that damage as well."
Diamond urged all concerned citizens to be polite and thoughtful when writing to any public servant.
For more information: russ.diamond@comcast.net, 717.383.3025
Contact Judge Lewis:
The Honorable Richard A. Lewis
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Fax: 717.780.6452
Monday, May 03, 2010
Tuesday May 4th, is the Day Against DRM
From: Defective by Design
Take Action: Tuesday May 4th, is the Day Against DRM
Today is about taking time out of your usual routine to speak out in favor of a DRM-free society. We do not have to accept a future where our interactions with computers and published works are monitored and controlled by corporations or governments.
http://www.defectivebydesign.org/dayagainstdrm2010
Sincerely,
Holmes and the DRM Elimination Team
Defective by Design http://defectivebydesign.org/ is a project of the Free Software Foundation -- Fifty One Franklin Street, Fifth Floor Boston, 02110
Take Action: Tuesday May 4th, is the Day Against DRM
Today is about taking time out of your usual routine to speak out in favor of a DRM-free society. We do not have to accept a future where our interactions with computers and published works are monitored and controlled by corporations or governments.
http://www.defectivebydesign.org/dayagainstdrm2010
Sincerely,
Holmes and the DRM Elimination Team
Defective by Design http://defectivebydesign.org/ is a project of the Free Software Foundation -- Fifty One Franklin Street, Fifth Floor Boston, 02110
BP and its sponsorship of the Oil Olympics to keep flowing
From: SI com Alerts
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The leader of the U.S. Olympic Committee sees no immediate change in the federation's multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with BP PLC in the aftermath of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/05/03/USOC.BP.sponsorship.ap/index.html
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The leader of the U.S. Olympic Committee sees no immediate change in the federation's multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with BP PLC in the aftermath of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/05/03/USOC.BP.sponsorship.ap/index.html
Women -- err -- girls soccer players from Iran may join Jr. World Games.
Iran's girls' soccer team back in Youth Olympics
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran's girls' soccer team may compete in this summer's inaugural Youth Olympics as long as its players swap their traditional head scarves for a cap that covers their hair.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/05/03/Iran.girls.soccer.youth.olympics.ap/index.html
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran's girls' soccer team may compete in this summer's inaugural Youth Olympics as long as its players swap their traditional head scarves for a cap that covers their hair.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/05/03/Iran.girls.soccer.youth.olympics.ap/index.html
Invite
"cityLIVE! 28: What's Next for the Igloo?
May 17 New Hazlett Theater 6:30 P.M.
Many buildings of the Modern Movement have already been saved; the icons amongst these have even become so precious that they are treated like pieces of art rather than as buildings in everyday use. Can we craft such a future for the Civic Arena? Can the social, political and cultural baggage that comes with it be set aside? Who should decide on whether the igloo survives or not?"
May 17 New Hazlett Theater 6:30 P.M.
Many buildings of the Modern Movement have already been saved; the icons amongst these have even become so precious that they are treated like pieces of art rather than as buildings in everyday use. Can we craft such a future for the Civic Arena? Can the social, political and cultural baggage that comes with it be set aside? Who should decide on whether the igloo survives or not?"
Requests for Election Accountability and Security to Allegheny County Board of Elections
Letter from voting guru and advocate of fair elections in the city, county and state, Richard King, Ph.D.
Dear Mr. Wolosik,
As you are aware, a volunteer audit found that about 40% the Allegheny County precincts in the 2008 presidential election contained discrepancies between the "Numbered List of Voters" and the number of "Total Ballots Cast" as recorded by the touchscreen voting machines in each precinct in Allegheny County. Since then, for each election, we have sought a summary listing of these discrepancies from your office, from the Board of Election, and/or from County Council.
At the last Board of Election meeting, At-Large Councilman, Chuck McCullough, requested that you meet in your office with me to come to some agreement regarding these requests. I have made two email requests of you to schedule a meeting which has yet to be scheduled. Please schedule this meeting before the May 18th election and please:
1) Arrange to provide the summary listing of the precinct discrepancies for the the May 18th, 2010 primary election and make the agreement to do so today. This will save us from the effort placing these requests before our county council and our BOE once again.
The information requested can easily be captured by listing the following for each precinct. This should be done in the canvass or review and reconciliation process which is scheduled to begin three days after the election. It will require minimal additional effort on the part of your office.
The summary of the precinct discrepancies should include:
a) "PRECINCT ID"
b) Total Number of Voters
c) "TOTAL BALLOTS CAST"
d) Discrepancy
Please have your office create this summary listing for each election and make it immediately available upon request to all interested parties, i.e., when the discrepancies are initially reviewed in your office so that the information is available for comment by the public at the next Board of Election meeting.
2) Additionally:
In November of 2008, public pressure requested software verification go hand in glove with the implementation of video security on our voting machines. Yes, video cameras were placed in the warehouse, but curiously they were not actually viewing the voting machines in the warehouse. This lack of surveillance of the voting machines pointedly breaches the intention of the security cameras. The purpose of the complete, direct and secure video surveillance of the voting machines from the time of the software verification process was to document that the voting software had not been tampered with once it was verified.
Meanwhile, workmen have been remodeling the warehouse space that the voting machines are stored and its been shown that replacing voting machine software with vote stealing software requires only two minutes of access to a voting machine.
Please, remedy this situation. Document that once the software in our our county's touchscreen voting machines has been verified, that it has not been tampered with in the warehouse. Place all of the the voting machines within the view of the video cameras.
Appreciatively,
Richard King, Ph.D. (phone number removed by blog administrator)
Voter Verified Paper Records with Routine Audits
http://www.pa-verifiedvoting.org/
Fw: Be a Fan of the PLAN!
Most of these "Master Plans" of the past were hardly worth the paper they were printed upon. Some plans even used paper so large it could not be put on a photo copy machine and sent to the citizens. That's the work of too many paid consultants, generally. Call them "Lesser Plans" and I would not be so haked off about what they contain and omit.
Be a fan of the plan means being a booster of the status quo politicians.
Be a fan of the plan means being a booster of the status quo politicians.
From: "Hanna, Dolores" <Dolores.Hanna@city.pittsburgh.pa.us>Subject: FW: Be a Fan of the PLAN!
Dear Interested Citizen:
The City's first Comprehensive Plan, PLANPGH launched last week with the opening of our website (http://www.planpgh.com/) and with three public meetings to gather input on PRESERVEPGH -- the Cultural Heritage component to the Plan. At these public meetings, we heard your comments and thoughts on all things Cultural Heritage: the positive, negative, and everything in-between.
If you were not able to make it to one of the public meetings, it is not too late to make your voice heard! Please take 15 minutes to fill out the PRESERVEPGH survey so we can learn how you feel about cultural heritage: what buildings are important to you? what are the "issues" surrounding preservation? how do you envision the City in 20 years?
To fill out the Cultural Heritage survey, click here:You can access this link, and much more information, at the "Get Involved" section of our website. Check it out, and come back often as we will be posting information about future public meetings and other surveys. You can also follow our progress on Facebook and Twitter!
We rely upon you for your knowledge and expertise in this matter. Who knowsbetter than its own citizens? Pittsburgh
Thanks for your time,
Katherine MolnarHistoric Preservation PlannerCity of PittsburghDepartment of City Planning200 Ross St, 3rd FloorPittsburgh, PA 15219Ph: 412.255.2243Ph: 412.255.2243
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Rob wrote on Facebook: Some general points in response to all the media attention on the future of the Civic Arena:
I think it is foolish for a renter to exit his or her apartment and demand that the landlord tear down the building just vacated. That would make no sense. Likewise, it makes no sense to listen to the Pens when it comes to the Civic Arena.
We should save the Civic Arena and NOT tear it down.
We win by addition. 1 + 1 = 2. We churn when we have 1 + 1 - 1 = 1. To grow the region, grow its assets. Be authentic.
Rob posted:
We should save the Civic Arena and NOT tear it down.
We win by addition. 1 + 1 = 2. We churn when we have 1 + 1 - 1 = 1. To grow the region, grow its assets. Be authentic.
Rob posted:
1. It will cost a minimum of $10 million to tear it down and prepare the immediate site. Your state and federal taxpayer dollars at work...Not the Pens. The Pens then buy the property for a couple of million and put in parking spaces that produce $200,000 a year in income. Guess how many years it might stay as parking? And who pays for the structured parking to come later? You guessed it, WE DO! Just like Southside Works and Bakery Square, TIFs, state/federal funding will be used. That is not bad if we are open and honest about HOW WELL it is done.
2. We the citizens of Western PA bought the building 50 years ago. WE own it. And in fact Edgar Kaufman, Henry Hillman and others kicked in millions in 1960 dollars. The Hill has a right to lead a planning process, but the issue of the arena is buried by political rhetoric from public officials. We are asking for a fair comparison; thus Reuse the Igloo has commissioned a study from an economic planner OUTSIDE of Pittsburgh.
3. Most old buildings are bought for below market value in order to incent reuse. See History Center, Pennsylvanian and Armstrong Cork. THEN a 20% historic tax credit is available for private rehab (see ARMSTRONG CORK). This must be done by the private sector and can put the land back on the tax rolls.
4. We have proposed a 5 year moratorium on demolition in order to explore and verify financial and market feasibility of our ideas. All we have to do is REPURPOSE part of the demo money to demolish the old seating bowl, to prepare it for use as an INCOME producing property ON the tax roles!
5. We are looking for a developer and it is hard when the "fix " is in. As an experienced Architect, I know that harder projects have been undertaken in this city when the naysayers said it cant be done: See Washington's Landing, Station Square. Since the Pens control the developments rights it is difficult if not impossible to develop a national RFP like has been done for the Garden Theater.
6. Post War modern Structures may be ugly to some, but people felt that same way in the early twentieth Century about Victorian design. No in the 1960's or even 70's one would be believe we took old buildings downtown and turned them into lofts. The Arena’s architectural value is well established, See our website to see the possibilities to create something of lasting beauty (while your at it take a look at how the new arena thumbs its nose that street and the Hill). It creates a far larger visual wall than the Igloo, which can be made “transparent” by opening it most of the time and creating a public pedestrian greenway right along the path of the old Wiley Avenue.
7. Historic Preservation is an economic development tool. Google went into the big old Nabisco Bakery in part because they know that they are good for business and employees love cool spaces and are more productive. They did the same in Brooklyn New York.
8. Think of the Arena with its moveable roof as the coolest community park, hotel, restaurants shops and recreational facilities.. Portland Oregon is doing just that with its old arena, after its mayor and the Trailblazers said they wanted it torn down for reasons similar to our public officials.
9. Want to see innovative reuse in action? Go to Montreal's Old Forum, the “Fenway of Hockey” and see its reuse as an inner city mall. Even better, go to NYC to see the Highline Project, a once derelict elevated freight line through the heart of Manhattans west side. A W hotel has been built OVER it because it so cool and attracting visitors and creating local jobs. WE can do the same with the IGLOO! The idea is NOT reuse at as a competing venue to the new arena; by removing the seating bowl and creating open space the arena can have immediate value and demonstrate the potential for full redevelopment.
10. And last but NOT LEAST: We need to have an honest dialogue about symbols and meaning in architecture: A building does not have to be a symbol of failure. It was the process and common view of the times, not the building that caused the failure. Lets not reinvent history but rather understand it and learn from it. All of us need to read Root Shock and Death & Life of Cities. Buildings as symbols and couriers of meaning can change over time and by reusing for anew positive use, it we change a symbolic meaning from failure to success. We believe that repurposing the igloo can change its meaning and open up memories, create connections and dialogue. The failures of Urban Renewal that should NOT be forgotten by future generations. How many Pens fans or casual visitors to the new arena will learn that history if we tear it down? Europe has learned this lesson. We have not. Many of us grew up watching many urban renewal failures here and around the country, driven by conflicting intentions (good and bad).
Lets open up a dialogue and reconcile not use shallow talking points and misinformation. The City Live event on May 17th will get beyond the political talking points. City Live has invited three historians to respond to and discuss the history and idea of reuse from three points of view: Social, Cultural, Architectural. May 17th at the New Hazlett Theater 6:30pm; Come join the dialogue! www.citylivepgh.org
Improv class on Wed nights being offered
If you have an interest in learning improv, we have a Scene Works Basics class that will begin in just a
couple weeks. To sign up or learn more, visit http://improvpittsburgh.com/classes.
Scene Work Basics: Through exercises and coached scene work, students will learn the skills needed to advance, expand and conclude improv scenes: including connecting with their partner, building solid
platforms, and raising the stakes. Scene structure will be introduced.
The basic fundamentals of improv – Yes and, listening, and agreement – will also be reinforced. (an introduction to theater improv or acting experience required)
WHEN: WEDNESDAYS 7-9 PM, MAY 12 - JULY 7
WHERE: PITTSBURGH DANCE ARTS (4740 Liberty Ave)
COST: $120. (if paid before 5/7/10). $160. after 5/7/10
INSTRUCTORS: Larry Phillis (Hustlebot, Cellar Dwellers) & David Fedor
(Hustlebot)
Spread the word!!
-Brian
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
couple weeks. To sign up or learn more, visit http://improvpittsburgh.com/classes.
Scene Work Basics: Through exercises and coached scene work, students will learn the skills needed to advance, expand and conclude improv scenes: including connecting with their partner, building solid
platforms, and raising the stakes. Scene structure will be introduced.
The basic fundamentals of improv – Yes and, listening, and agreement – will also be reinforced. (an introduction to theater improv or acting experience required)
WHEN: WEDNESDAYS 7-9 PM, MAY 12 - JULY 7
WHERE: PITTSBURGH DANCE ARTS (4740 Liberty Ave)
COST: $120. (if paid before 5/7/10). $160. after 5/7/10
INSTRUCTORS: Larry Phillis (Hustlebot, Cellar Dwellers) & David Fedor
(Hustlebot)
Spread the word!!
-Brian
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Saturday, May 01, 2010
School librarians losing jobs as city schools feel pinch
School librarians losing jobs as city schools feel pinch 'Research has shown a direct positive correlation between school libraries, learning and test scores. The fact that nine Pittsburgh Public Schools have no teacher-librarians to teach information literacy demonstrates both inequitable opportunities for students ... and a cause for concern for [school district] stakeholders,' states a 29-page memorandum compiled by the librarians.
Where is the 29 page memo? Can it be emailed to me, Mark@Rauterkus.com. I'll look in my in box.
Don't want to be identified! Come now. Librarians are huge in terms of keeping privacy -- as to what books have been checked out in the past, etc. Looking back, the crossing guards didn't want to be fired, but they pointed fingers, sorta. The pool matrons got axed, but with one swift blow -- and they're loss hurt swimming in physical education classes. They kept quiet and drifted away. But today, with librarians, I'm going to expect more content to be generated with author attribution. Librarians click to a different tune than pool matrons and crossing guards. But, the cover against blowback is real, especially when the cuts are gradual.
Tracy, a fellow parent that cares greatly, gets good ink in the article too. Yes!
That question she raises was part of the discussion a few months ago. It got puzzled looks from high level administators then. Same kind of looks and shrugs that was delivered when asked about the Sci-Tech School Library not having any books.
Open Source Summer Experience for Professors
Open Source Summer Experience - July 5 to 9th in CaliforniaI wish that the new Pittsburgh Public School called Sci-Tech would be teaching Open Source. If they were, and they should, this would be a great place to send a person or two.
Have you considered the benefits of teaching open source participation in the classroom?
More than teaching tools and technology, teaching open source is about giving students a chance to get hands on with real code in real situations. A chance to build skills and experiences that scale to fit the classroom.
Professors' Open Source Summer Experience, or POSSE, is a week long class taught by open source community experts from Red Hat and the Open Source Initiative, for those who teach higher education or advanced students in computer science/engineering and electrical engineering (CS, CE, EE.) In this class we teach the skills to be "productively lost" through participation in actual projects. These skills are transferable directly to teaching open source participation in the classroom.
http://teachingopensource.org/index.php/POSSE
We're offering the first California POSSE in Mountain View, 05 to 09 July. If you or someone you know is interested, read more here:
http://teachingopensource.org/index.php/POSSE_California_CS
POSSE itself is free; attendees pay their own travel, lodging, and expenses. To find out more or to apply, check out the program page and send in an application.
http://teachingopensource.org/index.php/POSSE_California_CS
If you have questions, our general Teaching Open Source mailing list is used for support, networking, and discussion amongst teaching colleagues and open source experts:
http://teachingopensource.org/mailman/listinfo/tos
You may also email posse@teachingopensource.org for more information.
name: Karsten 'quaid' Wade, Sr. Community Gardener
team: Red Hat Community Architecture
uri: http://TheOpenSourceWay.org/wiki
Friday, April 30, 2010
Fw: Global Kids LEVEL UP! Gaming Bootcamp: July 26 - 30, 2010
Nice camp. Sorta expensive.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: "Global Kids Level Up Bootcamp" <info@globalkids.org>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:47:21 -0500
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Subject: Global Kids LEVEL UP! Gaming Bootcamp: July 26 - 30, 2010
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Fw: [DW] Pew Internet.org - Releases new Government Online report
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-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Clift <clift@e-democracy.org>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:44:04
To: newswire<newswire@groups.dowire.org>; citycamp<citycamp@forums.e-democracy.org>
Subject: [DW] PewInternet.org - Releases new Government Online report
Here is an important question from the survey:
Overall, when you have a question, problem, or task that requires
contact with your local, state or federal government, which method of
contact do you prefer most?...Calling on the phone, visiting in
person, writing a letter, visiting a website, sending email [ Q.14 ]
Today - Aug 2003
35% Calling on the phone - 38%
20% Visiting in person - 15%
11% Writing a letter - 15%
10% Visiting a website - 17%
18% Sending email - 9%
1% Some other way (Vol.) - 1%
4% Never contact government (Vol.) - 4%
1% Don't know - 1%
*% Refused
Note from seven years ago that the most preferred way to contact
government has sending an e-mail up 8% and visiting a web site down
7%. Very interesting. So for those governments and elected officials
who have deleted their e-mail address from their website and replaced
it with only a web form, please take note. Also interesting is a 5%
increase in those who prefer to visit government in-person. Must be
the free coffee. ;-) - Steven Clift
See:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Government-Online.aspx
Featured Report: Government Online
Government agencies have begun to open up their data to the public,
and a surprisingly large number of citizens are showing interest. Some
40% of adult internet users have gone online for raw data about
government spending and activities. This includes anyone who has done
at least one of the following: look online to see how federal stimulus
money is being spent (23% of internet users have done this); read or
download the text of legislation (22%); visit a site such as data.gov
that provides access to government data (16%); or look online to see
who is contributing to the campaigns of their elected officials (14%).
The report also finds that 31% of online adults have used social tools
such as blogs, social networking sites, and online video as well as
email and text alerts to keep informed about government activities.
Moreover, these new tools show particular appeal to groups that have
historically lagged in their use of other online government
offerings-in particular, minority Americans. Latinos and African
Americans are just as likely as whites to use these tools to keep up
with government, and are much more likely to agree that government
outreach using these channels makes government more accessible and
helps people be more informed about what government agencies are
doing.
"Just as social media and just-in-time applications have changed the
way Americans get information about current events or health
information, they are now changing how citizens interact with elected
officials and government agencies," said Research Specialist Aaron
Smith, author of the report. "People are not only getting involved
with government in new and interesting ways, they are also using these
tools to share their views with others and contribute to the broader
debate around government policies."
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
Follow me - http://twitter.com/democracy
New Tel: +1.612.234.7072
-----------------------------------------
Group home for Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire:
http://groups.dowire.org/groups/newswire
Replies go to members of Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire with all posts on this topic here:
http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/1GHh1stLe1qhMVOQB1szoQ
For digest version or to leave Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire,
email newswire@groups.dowire.org
with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire is hosted by Democracies Online - http://dowire.org.
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Clift <clift@e-democracy.org>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:44:04
To: newswire<newswire@groups.dowire.org>; citycamp<citycamp@forums.e-democracy.org>
Subject: [DW] PewInternet.org - Releases new Government Online report
Here is an important question from the survey:
Overall, when you have a question, problem, or task that requires
contact with your local, state or federal government, which method of
contact do you prefer most?...Calling on the phone, visiting in
person, writing a letter, visiting a website, sending email [ Q.14 ]
Today - Aug 2003
35% Calling on the phone - 38%
20% Visiting in person - 15%
11% Writing a letter - 15%
10% Visiting a website - 17%
18% Sending email - 9%
1% Some other way (Vol.) - 1%
4% Never contact government (Vol.) - 4%
1% Don't know - 1%
*% Refused
Note from seven years ago that the most preferred way to contact
government has sending an e-mail up 8% and visiting a web site down
7%. Very interesting. So for those governments and elected officials
who have deleted their e-mail address from their website and replaced
it with only a web form, please take note. Also interesting is a 5%
increase in those who prefer to visit government in-person. Must be
the free coffee. ;-) - Steven Clift
See:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Government-Online.aspx
Featured Report: Government Online
Government agencies have begun to open up their data to the public,
and a surprisingly large number of citizens are showing interest. Some
40% of adult internet users have gone online for raw data about
government spending and activities. This includes anyone who has done
at least one of the following: look online to see how federal stimulus
money is being spent (23% of internet users have done this); read or
download the text of legislation (22%); visit a site such as data.gov
that provides access to government data (16%); or look online to see
who is contributing to the campaigns of their elected officials (14%).
The report also finds that 31% of online adults have used social tools
such as blogs, social networking sites, and online video as well as
email and text alerts to keep informed about government activities.
Moreover, these new tools show particular appeal to groups that have
historically lagged in their use of other online government
offerings-in particular, minority Americans. Latinos and African
Americans are just as likely as whites to use these tools to keep up
with government, and are much more likely to agree that government
outreach using these channels makes government more accessible and
helps people be more informed about what government agencies are
doing.
"Just as social media and just-in-time applications have changed the
way Americans get information about current events or health
information, they are now changing how citizens interact with elected
officials and government agencies," said Research Specialist Aaron
Smith, author of the report. "People are not only getting involved
with government in new and interesting ways, they are also using these
tools to share their views with others and contribute to the broader
debate around government policies."
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
Follow me - http://twitter.com/democracy
New Tel: +1.612.234.7072
-----------------------------------------
Group home for Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire:
http://groups.dowire.org/groups/newswire
Replies go to members of Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire with all posts on this topic here:
http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/1GHh1stLe1qhMVOQB1szoQ
For digest version or to leave Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire,
email newswire@groups.dowire.org
with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire is hosted by Democracies Online - http://dowire.org.
Mr. Lopez has a vision of sports within PPS and shared these ideas
Concept Map directory shows this map with the links and ability to offer your input.
I authored the concept map. Click link above or image below for larger view.
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