Fwd: Community Conversation with Acting Chief Of Pittsburgh Police McLay

The Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) Is Proud to  Sponsor COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS WITH PITTSBURGH'S NEW ACTING POLICE CHIEF CAMERON MCLAY Monday, November 10, 2014 BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH 2720 Webster Avenue at Morgan Street (15219) 412-683-2160 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Doors Open at 6pm Moderator: Tene Croom President, Tene Croom Communications Monday, November 17, 2014 PENTECOSTAL TEMPLE  6300 East Liberty Boulevard (15206) 412-361-7000 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Doors Open at 6pm Moderator: Lynne Hayes Freeland KDKA TV Reporter BRING YOUR QUESTIONS, CONCERNS & SUGGESTIONS!! Sponsored by: The BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (B-PEP) The ALLIANCE FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY (APA) The BLACK & WHITE REUNION (BWR) The WESTERN PA BLACK POLITICAL ASSEMBLY (WPBPA ) The URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH

Forward this email The Black Political Empowerment Project(B-PEP) | B-PEP | c/o Freedom Unlimited, Inc. | 2201 Wylie Avenue | Pittsburgh | PA | 15219

Fwd: Seeking 18 to 21 year olds having difficulty gaining permanent employment

Employment for 18 to 21 Year Olds

 

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC) is seeking 18-21 year olds who are having difficulty gaining permanent employment. Each youth will be paid by the BGC for 150 hours of work that leads to permanent employment at a quality worksite.

In addition to a paid work experience each youth will receive a customer service credential and career guidance. Those seeking to enter college or tech school will be provided with necessary support. 

 

If interested call 412-254-4007 and leave a message with your name, address, and phone number.

 

 

(8 slots left)

When a college team mails in a "F" -- they get the next year OFF too

California University of PA has a football team with five of its players in jail and in serious trouble due to some late night fight. All the players have been kicked out of school. The team is scratching its next game this weekend. Forfeit. Gannon wins. Cal U sees its home game vanish. And a guy is in critical condition after a life-flight to Allegheny General Hospital. Hope he doesn't die.

This is another football forfeit. Here is another brick in the wall that signals the long, slow departure of that game from society's landscape. Football is well past its peak and is headed to the toilet bowl in the years to come.

In water polo, after a team mails in a "F" -- the next year they are kicked out of the league. A team that forfeits gets the following year without the ability to play in the league.

This would be a great time for those at CalU to look into creating a number of different activities to take the place of football. How about an Ultimate Frisbee House League? What about Rugby 7s and Rugby Union teams? How about water polo? Perhaps they should do a better job at CalU with their Powerlifting matches and Bodybuilding too. And finally, most of all, time to hook up with the Boys to Men program and get those discussions established about accountability of actions, stopping violence, and intervention.

None know what the future holds for these guys and the overall program. But it is a good thing to take a break and think again. Let's establish a different set of norms and get everyone to play nice with others.

Pink in the pool at PSU

This Friday, October 31, at 3 PM, Penn State Swimming & Diving hosts Villanova. We would like to invite the entire Pennsylvania swimming community to check out the Nittany Lions and kick off a big sports weekend at Penn State.

The first 200 fans in attendance this Friday will receive a pink Penn State Swim Cap. Be sure to get there early!

We hope to see you this Friday at 3 o’clock at the McCoy Natatorium on Penn State’s Campus! The McCoy Natatorium is located at the corner of Curtin and Bigler Road.

If you’re unable to attend this Friday, we hope to see you on November 7 and 8 when the Nittany Lions host Virginia and Michigan. The action starts on November 7 at 6 PM, and continues on November 8 at 11 AM.

Communication Disorders alumnae bring a little bit of UMass to the University of Pittsburgh | UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Communication Disorders alumnae bring a little bit of UMass to the University of Pittsburgh | UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Magazine article talks of the Pitt and UMass connection with Audiology & Speech.

Communication Disorders alumnae bring a little bit of UMass to the University of Pittsburgh | UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Communication Disorders alumnae bring a little bit of UMass to the University of Pittsburgh | UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Magazine article talks of the Pitt and UMass connection with Audiology & Speech.

Fwd: Morning announcement for Monday, swim team kicking off with pancakes

Announcement for Monday, Oct 20

Get ready for SWIMMING. Consider joining the Obama Varsity Swim Teams.

Tonight, Monday,  the swim team kicks off the pre season with a social gathering with a FUN pancake open swim. Anyone interested in joining the swim team is welcome to the Obama swim pool from 5 pm to 7 pm tonight, Monday, October 20. Meet some of the swimmers, coaches, and boosters and enjoy a casual swim and eat some of Mr. Boyce's Famous pancakes. 

Then on Tuesday and for the rest of the week, and for EVERY SCHOOL DAY following, come to the school at 6 am for our MORNING SWIM PRACTICE. The Pre-season practices begin tomorrow, on Tuesday, October 21. All high school students are welcome. Just show up. Be ready to start your school day refreshed, stimulated, and in a great frame of mind after the 70-minute workout in the pool. 

Joining the swim team or just coming to a few of our practices is one smartest things you can do for your health. The team is for both BOYS and GIRLS, grades 9-12, new and INEXPERIENCED swimmers are welcome. 

.... End ......

Thanks. 

Mark Rauterkus

412-298-3432

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell



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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Pi-Tops, a laptop built with the Raspberry Pi on indiegogo

Great idea. Delivery in May, 2015.



Another video:
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb6hVe1fRzI

Making Waves with Ian Smith of SurfSUP Adventures

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hive Learning Network Pittsburgh

The Sprout Fund posted: "by Weenta Girmay The Hive-funded First Waves Project, a program from SurfSUP Adventures, takes youth out to surf the rivers of Pittsburgh while cleaning up their banks. With kayaks and paddleboards, teens take to the water for a mission that went beyond j" New post on Hive Learning Network Pittsburgh Making Waves with Ian Smith of SurfSUP Adventures by The Sprout Fund by Weenta Girmay The Hive-funded First Waves Project, a program from SurfSUP Adventures, takes youth out to surf the rivers of Pittsburgh while cleaning up their banks. With kayaks and paddleboards, teens take to the water for a mission that went beyond just hanging ten. Sprout got a chance to talk to Ian Smith, the founder of SurfSUP Adventures and project manager of First Waves. How long have you been the director of SurfSUP? What's the mission of the program? SurfSUP Adventures is a company I started in 2011 and we are a standup paddleboarding outfitter. We teach on everything from really calm lakes and beginner stuff all the way up to whitewater paddling. How do you surf a river wave? There are features in whitewater scenarios where the water actually turns back on itself and it creates what looks like an ocean wave, but it stays in place and it's called a static wave or a standing wave. You surf it exactly the way you would an ocean wave, but you're facing upstream, so the river is passing beneath you. It's a really cool phenomenon that allows inland paddlers to experience surfing. It's one of the things that I wanted to share with people from Pittsburgh. Where did the idea for the First Waves program come from? Why did you want to work with youth specifically? With SurfSUP adventures I had a lot of different types of clients and one project in my first year was particularly groundbreaking for me. The park service contracted me to do a program called "Adventure Camp." It was children who had been removed from their homes or were in foster care or having something going on that they were at this place. I had never worked with kids before at this point, I was kind of nervous, but I ended up absolutely loving it. The kids were just outrageously amazing. It really moved me to shift my direction and do more of those kinds of things. I knew I wanted to adapt it into my own vision and run my own program, which led to me speaking with Sprout. Why did you choose Paddle Without Pollution as a collaborator? When you do these river clean ups that Paddle Without Pollution does, they're these huge events and people from all over the communities come out and you just feel so good about it. There's a ridiculous amount of trash you can't even imagine around rivers. The first one I did was at the Point, so [the pollution] was extra bad. It's very moving. I wanted the kids to experience one thing that would be really fun to do in a watershed and then also shed some light on how they can help the community to clean up the waterways and share that message, which is why I think making a film is so powerful with this program. Why was it important for you to document the experience through film? You can clean up 2,000 pounds of trash off the riverbed but if you don't influence people to not throw that trash away in the beginning and to think about the choices they make as a consumer then there's really no gain. I think whenever you can show people something really fun and get them in the river doing things that they love, that's the only way you can foster real stewardship that'll last longer than just picking up a piece of garbage. I think that starting at the ground level with kids at that age, between 14 and 18, giving them urban exposure to both sides of that is what I think is a really strong approach to conversation. What was it like taking the youth out on the river? How did they take to the paddleboards and the kayaks? We split them up into two teams and the first team hit the water and it was ridiculous. They were already surfing/standing and just going for it immediately, loving it, ear-to-ear grins. Pure "surf stoked" is how they would say it on the coast. They were excited for sure, they took to it fantastic. Before we did anything we did a workshop to learn how to use cameras and how to properly conduct interviews. They came up with questions for each other and right off the bat they got to know their peers because they were interviewing them and saying things like, "What do you expect to learn from this experience?" "Have you done anything like this before?" It was all peer shot and they learned how to do it right on the spot. And then we did a follow up filmmaking lesson at the cleanup as well. A lot of it had to be shot from a kayak so they definitely had some cool challenges to overcome, like making sure we didn't have any cameras go in the water. They learned to use POV (point-of-view) cameras and we had 10 Go Pro [cameras] at least, so those were ok to get wet and we got lots of action shots from the water and different views. What was the weirdest thing they fished out? I think if you ask the kids they were most excited about the shopping cart. We found actually a couple of those. I think that was the winner. How much trash did the youth collect from the rivers? If you go to firstwaves.org, there's a shot of the heaping pile. It was more than 1 ton. Where do you plan to screen the finished film? We'll be doing a premiere for it and we're definitely going to do some screenings. I'd love to submit it to some of the paddling festivals, things like the National Paddling Film Festival, there's traveling film screening competitions that I would love to enter, do local film screenings, Big Brothers/Big Sisters have events and it would be fun to show other bigs and littles, and obviously online. Comcast cable is another partner and they shot a film of us shooting the film. They're going to be putting it on their On Demand service, so it'll definitely be distributed nationally through them. What plans do you have for next year's program? This year the goal was to engage 10 people and produce one film. Next year I might want to produce some articles or journalism or some photography and incorporate significantly more people and have the community more involved in the cleanup and in the event as a whole. When I was little I would've loved to have something like that. I really wanted to pursue journalism as a career. Even now when I look for outdoor adventure writing or outdoor adventure photography or filmmaking in Pittsburgh it's essentially non-existent despite Pittsburgh being a great town for something like that. I think it's a way that we can enhance the conservation ethos for Pittsburgh and also give the younger people a way to find their niche in that environment and understand how they can use it for free or fun or to inspire others. The Sprout Fund | October 13, 2014 at 11:05 am | Categories: Blog Post | URL: http://hivepgh.sproutfund.org/?p=18741 Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://hivepgh.sproutfund.org/blog/2014/10/13/making-waves-with-ian-smith-of-surfsup-adventures/

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Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

CMU Women's water polo squad - line-up

Fwd: Calling all teachers. Worldwide.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hadi Partovi (Code.org) <hadi_partovi@code.org>
Date: Friday, October 3, 2014
Subject: Calling all teachers. Worldwide.
To: Mark Rauterkus <mark@rauterkus.com>

Calling all teachers. Worldwide.

Computer science is foundational for all students today. Yet 90% of schools don't teach it. Last December, 15 million students tried computer science in one week, thanks to educators like you! Since then, over 40 million students have tried the Hour of Code.

Hour of Code 2014 - let's reach 100 million students

Please help this grassroots, teacher-driven campaign reach 100 million students by the end of the year. Sign up to participate in Hour of Code 2014 during December 8-14, Computer Science Education Week.

What's an Hour of Code?

It's an introduction to computer science designed to show that anyone can learn the basics. Code.org provides hour-long tutorials featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Angry Birds, and Plants vs. Zombies — for your computer, tablet, smartphone, or with no computer at all!

No experience needed from teachers and students

We owe it to today's students to start with one hour. Let's make history.

Sign up to participate, recruit a fellow teacher, or get your whole school to join the fun!

Start now at http://hourofcode.com

Hadi Partovi
Founder, Code.org

P.S. Free 1-day workshops for teachers in grades K-5
We're offering free, in-person workshops in 60 cities nationwide! Get a head start on teaching computer science in elementary school with Code Studio. Try out Code Studio and Find a workshop near you.

Code.org is a 501c3 non-profit. Our address is 1301 5th Ave, Suite 1225, Seattle, WA, 98101. Don't like these emails? Unsubscribe.

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Concerning my endorsement from Councilmember Bruce Kraus: Think moon beam or wave on the water more than "ray" of positive energy

On Facebook's South Side Secrets, I got an endorsement. Here is the play by play, without the lamination.

• Bruce A. Kraus We (I, my office, others) worked with Forest City Enterprises over a two year period to ensure that through a measured, steady approach that we would work toward the non-renewal of leases @ Whim and Saddle Ridge resulting in their closure.

  45 mins · Like · 1
• 

  Mark Rauterkus Figures. Who gets credit for closing The Cheese Cellar, Woodson's, Isaly's and the wrath of the Clark Bar? Wasn't that Jim Roddey's handywork?

  31 mins · Like · 2
• 

  Bruce A. Kraus Always such a ray of positive energy you are Mr. Rauterkus.

  26 mins · Like
• 

  Mark Rauterkus Thanks for the kind words, Bruce. For the record, I feel more comfortable taking credit for being positive energy as in a moon beam or a wave that ripples on the water and not a "ray." Rays are so STAR WARS powerful N@. Think recycled electrons instead. Now to print, laminate and cherish the endorsement.

In other news from Facebook in case you misseed it, after the baseball game....

Hey @billpeduto Let me guess... this game is my fault too.... Just like everything else right?? ‪#‎wewonlastyear‬ ‪#‎stopraisingtaxes‬

That was from Luke Ravenstahl.

Senator Fontana's News & Views: September 30, 2014 is a rancid joke of logic.

What a joke. The logic is twisted to no end.

---------- Forwarded message edited to take out the one good story about a service man.  ----------
From: "Senator Wayne Fontana" <senator.fontana@senatorfontana.com>
Date: Sep 30, 2014 10:32 AM

If you are having trouble viewing this email, click here. Please do not respond to this e-mail as it is an unmonitored account.

Pittsburgh's Budget and Nonprofits Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto recently introduced his $505.9 million budget which includes a proposed 0.5-mill real estate tax hike to help cover a $35 million shortfall projected for 2015.  The real estate tax increase, on average, will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $40 more a year.  The mayor hopes that this increase will plug a $7.3 million revenue hole that came about after the previous administration adjusted the millage rate following preliminary numbers from the last county-wide reassessment.    I'm sure this has been a difficult decision for the mayor and in the coming months, City Council will be tasked with either approving or changing the spending proposal.  However, balancing budgets will continue to be an ongoing problem for the city and I feel as if nonprofits should no longer receive a free ride at the expense of Allegheny County homeowners.  Last year I re-introduced Senate Bill 143 (SB 143), that would require non-profit organizations that own real property to pay taxes on the assessed value of the land only (not building), with the first $200,000 of land value being exempt from taxation to protect smaller nonprofits.  The exemption would apply to all property owned by the organization, not per parcel.  The current local tax system is patently unfair, stagnates economic growth, hurts our local real estate market and is literally taxing families from their homes.  While no one is disputing the good that our city's corporate nonprofits do in terms of the jobs they provide and the economic investment they have garnered, we cannot continue to provide them a free pass when it comes to shouldering their fair share of the tax burden for funding public services. After all, corporations and companies across our state continue to make record profits while homeowners are forced to make difficult financial decisions to make ends meet.  The time is now for these organizations to start contributing to the fiscal climate many of our neighborhoods are facing.  While I support the mayor's proposal based on its transparency and fiscal necessity, there are other sources we need to tap into.  Pittsburgh and many other cities in Pennsylvania deserve a reliable and predictable nonprofit tax plan to help sustain the growth many regions are experiencing or will be in the near future.  The way to achieve this is by making these so called nonprofits more accountable to the people and the communities they are intended to benefit.  Lack of Oversight in Marcellus Shale Industry In late July, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released a year-and-a-half-long performance audit covering the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) regulations of the oil and gas industry from 2009 to 2012.  Overall, auditors found eight major issues and made 29 recommendations to improve their oversight.  DEP has gone from overseeing four natural gas fracking wells in 2003 to 6,225 in 2012. Although DEP employees continue to fulfill their duties of trying to protect the environment and residents, these professionals face growing challenges in properly monitoring the industry.   The audit found that the agency needs more staff, operates under a 25-year-old inspection policy, does not have a uniform policy to track the disposal of drilling waste water, keeps a disjointed record-keeping system, and uses an antiquated website that is not user-friendly to the public.    For example, eFacts is a database collection system that is used to track permits and enforcement actions by facility.  Since eFacts was intended to be used as a tracking system only, not a record retention system, a user can only tell if DEP inspectors visited a gas well, but not any details about the inspection.  DEP began using this internal system in 1994 and created a public version in 2002.  In January 2012, DEP added the Oil and Gas Compliance report, which is more accessible but based on the same flawed data.  The audit found that inspectors have been using generic codes, written prior to unconventional drilling, to enter data instead of specific violations. eFacts would need about 450 more codes to replace the existing antiquated codes to truly reflect the actual regulatory language.  This lack of a modern information technology system has resulted in inconsistent and disorganized records which made it hard for DEP to dispense timely records to the auditor general's office.  So much so that the audit was originally supposed to be released in January or February of this year and instead there was a six month delay in the release.  Another inconsistency and evidence of the lack of a reliable collection system was discovered by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette when they requested information on how many private water wells have been damaged, contaminated or have had a flow reduction related to natural gas production.  DEP released an early version of collected data in July to the PG which demonstrated 209 entries qualified under this request.  By the time DEP posted its official lists to its website on August 28th, the number had grown to 243, a number that reflected new determinations DEP had made and old determinations that had been overlooked during its first search of its files. Aside from the audit, I find it alarming that this is the first time records have been released by DEP on contaminants in private water supplies over the past seven years.  Under Act 13, which took effect January 1, 2013, the law states that DEP shall publish on its website, a list of confirmed cases of subterranean water supply contamination that result from hydraulic fracturing.  Although Act 13 does not have a time frame for when this information must be released, I think the department has had plenty of time to get the records together, especially when such records are fundamentally essential to the health of state residents.  Since every resident has the right to clean drinking water and should know as soon as possible when there is possible contamination, I introduced Senate Bill 592 (SB 592).  My bill would require DEP to provide the water test results to homeowners for all parameters that they have accurately measured using their normal procedures.  In 2012, DEP was under scrutiny in Washington County because they only revealed the results of eight possible contaminants even though DEP tested for 24 contaminants.  Many individuals feel DEP intentionally leaves out the complete set of test results.  My legislation would ensure homeowners get the complete analysis of accurate information about their water supply. SB 592 would also require DEP to post the water test results online in an aggregate method when testing for contamination due to drilling in the Marcellus Shale.  My legislation would not only make water test results more transparent across the state, but at the same time, mechanisms would be put into place so that the confidentiality of homeowners' water supply will not be compromised.  Homeowners should have the access to the most up-to-date information at their fingertips so that this generation and future generations can take steps to remain healthy.  As the audit has suggested, it does not appear that DEP is failing to protect the environment, but rather not taking the proper action and lacks resources to inform the public on how the agency is looking after the environment.  And when that occurs, the agency begins losing some of its credibility.  I feel that SB 592 would make the drilling industry more transparent and hold both the company and DEP more accountable for their actions or lack of action.  After all, water is essential for life and we must make sure there are standards in place to keep our water free from contamination.  Student Aid Guide As Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Board of Directors, I want all students and families to know that PHEAA's annual Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide is available online.  The free Student Aid Guide is Pennsylvania's most complete financial aid publication and is a great resource for finding everything students and families need to know about the financial aid process and paying for higher education.  The Guide also offers in depth information on the need-based Pennsylvania State Grant Program. The online version of the Guide is available at www.pheaa.org.  It is interactive and includes links to web pages of particular interest including: How to qualify for grants and scholarships and other "free" aid that does not need to be repaid   Types of loans that are available to students and their parents to help pay for their education   Career planning tools and access to checklists, timelines, applications and forms that families will need to apply for and receive financial assistance The Guide offers tools to help students and families create a student budget that estimates annual expenses and provides helpful resources and contact information.  Anyone without internet access should contact their high school counselor who can order additional hard copies of the Guide or visit a local library with internet access. Did You Know… Did you know the average cost at a public Pennsylvania college or university in 2014-15 is $13,239? PHEAA Job Fair The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting a Job Fair to fill full-time, entry-level positions for Call Center Representatives/Loan Counselors at its Parkway Center facility, located at 11 Parkway Center in Green Tree.  The Job Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Suite 110.  Representatives from PHEAA's Human Resources and FedLoan Servicing departments will be available to provide information about employment opportunities, answer questions and conduct on-site interviews. As Vice-Chair of PHEAA's Board of Directors, I was pleased to announce the opening of this new Customer Service Center last fall.  With the help of skilled workers from right here in western Pennsylvania, this Customer Service Center is helping PHEAA continue to provide the best possible customer service to millions of student loan borrowers throughout the region, the Commonwealth and the nation.  These workers, and this facility, help PHEAA service its growing portfolio of federally-owned student loans for nearly six million borrowers. For more information on the Job Fair and to learn more about available positions, or to submit an application online, please visit www.PHEAA.org/jobs. Voting Registration Deadline Anyone not registered to vote who wishes to vote in the November 4th General Election must complete a voter registration application by this Monday, October 6th.  You can obtain an application at any of my district offices.  Applications can also be downloaded by visiting www.votespa.com. Completed applications can be returned by mail to the Allegheny County Division of Elections and must be postmarked by October 6th in order to be processed prior to the November 4th General Election.  You can also register by completing an application in person, no later than October 6th, at the Division of Elections office.  The location of the Allegheny County Division of Elections office is listed below.  For any questions related to registering to vote, please contact 412-350-4510.             Attn: Voter Registration Services             Allegheny County Division of Elections             542 Forbes Avenue, Room 609             Pittsburgh, PA  15219-2953 Additionally, anyone wishing to request an absentee ballot can pick up an application at any of my district offices or download one by visiting www.votespa.com.  Please note that all completed absentee ballot applications MUST BE RECEIVED in the Division of Elections office NO LATER THAN 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28th. Underage Drinking Awareness The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) recently announced its annual Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest.  The contest is a creative way for students to depict the positive alternatives to underage drinking, such as getting involved in sports, playing games or volunteering in communities to name a few.  It is open to all Pennsylvania students in kindergarten – 12th grade, including those who are home-schooled or in private or parochial schools. The designing of posters by students sends an important message to their peers.  Approximately 50 outstanding posters will be selected by a panel of judges and the LCB will contact the winning artists in early 2015.  Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Harrisburg during Alcohol Awareness Month. Entries must be postmarked no later than November 21st.  For more information about submission dates, guidelines and prizes, please click here or visit www.lcb.state.pa.us. 8th Annual NAMI Walk TThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwestern Pennsylvania is hosting its 8th Annual NAMI Walk this Sunday, October 5th at the Waterfront in Homestead.  The festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the walk beginning promptly at 10 a.m. The family-friendly event features complimentary refreshments, music, activities for children, entertainment, and a 5K walk along the scenic Steel Valley Trail along the Great Allegheny Passage.  There is no fee to register but fundraising is encouraged.  All funds raised support NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in its mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education, and advocacy.  For more information or to register, please visit www.namiwalks.org or call 412-366-3788. Fontana Fact The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their home schedule last weekend with a 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers before playing games in Atlanta and Cincinnati to finish the regular season.  In addition to qualifying for the post-season for the second consecutive season, the Pirates set a single-season attendance record in 2014.  The Pirates drew 2,442,564 fans to 81 home games surpassing the mark of 2,435,867 that was established in 2001, the first year of baseball at PNC Park.  Offices of State Senator Wayne D. Fontana Brookline District 932 Brookline Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Phone: 412-344-2551 Fax: 412-344-3400 Harrisburg 543 Main Capitol Box 203042 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: 717-787-5300 Fax: 717-772-5484 Kennedy Township Kenmawr Plz. 524 Pine Hollow Rd Kennedy Twp, PA 15136 Phone: 412-331-1208 Fax: 412-331-2079 Beechview Satellite 1660 Broadway Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Phone: 412-343-2080 Fax: 412-343-2418

This message was sent to mark@Rauterkus.com from: Senator Wayne Fontana | senator.fontana@senatorfontana.com | Senator Wayne Fontana | Brookline District Office930 Brookline Boulevard | Pittsburgh, PA 15226-2106

American Red Cross certificates for Mark Rauterkus for Lifeguarding and WSI

Just so I don't have these misplaced.

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140930184320/aforathlete/images/c/c6/Certificate-WSI-Rauterkus_2014.pdf

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140930184913/aforathlete/images/f/fb/Certificate_for_Lifeguarding_for_Rauterkus_2014.pdf

My latest rant in the comments at PureReform

The education blog, PureReform, has a focus on Pittsburgh Public Schools and a thread developed. I put in my two cents.

I think that the board does hold the keys to hiring and firing the superintendent. That was the question and the first reply at the top is accurate.

I also think that board presidents have more power than other board members. Squeaky wheels, no big deal.

Sure, parents have power. Most deploy that and move out of PPS, to the burbs, to private / Catholic schools or to charter schools. Some may stay and rely upon tutors and enrichment in other avenues.

Year-after-year the city's population churns and those with kids flee. That's the year-after-year story. PPS shrinks greatly every year because many parents who have the power opt to put their kids elsewhere.

Those without kids care far less than those who do raise their children here. Fact of life. Bill Peduto and Michael Lamb and Jim Ferlo and a host of yuppies living in apartments in South Side Works care a tiny bit....

Meanwhile, those who do have kids are often so close to the action that the selfish streak is going to come out first. There is forest, trees and momma bear in the woods, if you know what I mean.

IMNSHO, the next revolution -- or more to the point -- the next revolution that will gain some system-wide changes and be noted in history as a game-changer is NOT about taking down or taking out people with power, captains on a sinking ship.

Be careful for what you wish for in terms of changing principals and such. Once upon a time the people of Poland could turn to their hopes to the east and see Stalin and then to the west and see Hitler. Today's (and for generations I guess) the middle east is a quagmire with ISIS, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc., etc. Friends are not generally found with the enemy of an enemy. We're learning that lesson, right?

The next revolution that is going to work is going to be one that HELPS THE KIDS. This is something that we can all get behind, even those YUPPIES that use the bike lanes that Peduto is happy to build and boast about. A new venture that greatly helps the educational options and outcomes with a lot of kids is going to get many people excited and make a serious impact.

That's the ticket.

I'm not inclined to pitch a protest and rail against any figure-head and repeat the mistakes of the past.

I have serious doubts that Dr. Lane's replacement would be any better than what we've already got and that is not saying much.

Body Fat 23.7 and 43 pounds of fat -- as per the Great Race Expo visit

Got my body fat examined by Allegheny Health Network at the Great Race Expo, Sept 27, 2014.

Had 23.7 percent body fat.

I had 43 pounds of fat.

This was with a hand held device.

I think my weight with clothing on was 209 or so.