What is going to happen to Mardi Gras in 2006? Predictions are welcomed. Would you go?

Transcript: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt

Transcript: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt duck Q: Mr. Roosevelt, do you feel that the current system is able to survive financially with out cutting programs?

Mark_Roosevelt A: We do have serious financial issues. We are spending about 40 million dollars more than we have in revenues. And we have spent down the surplus that we had so that it will be entirely gone at the end of 2006. There will have to be cuts. And we will have to work with the state and the foundation community to gain as much new revenue as possible. But there is no way that this problem can be solved without making some very difficult decisions.

So, what do you do about tax give-a-ways? The URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) is now calling upon the city, county and THE PGH PUBLIC SCHOOL District to build parking garages with tax incomes. Please say "NO." We can't give anything away.

Family Flashback (Aug 7, 2004)

Flashback! Top row: Phil, Bill, Leo (my dad), John, Kevin and me (Mark). Bottom row: Mary Lee, Margie, Audrey (my mom), Geri Ann, Michele and Catherine (my wife). Those are my four sisters and their husbands. We are with the giggles because we always have a great time together -- even when the camera's automatic shutter is the focus.


Our kids. To be exact, my two sons are in the photo along with their cousins. Since the photo, one year ago, the family has grown by one.

IT: Forbes Fund -- yada, yadda, yaddda.

Photo shows a nonprofit playground computer workstation.

The Forbes Funds is pleased to announce that the 2005 research studies funded under The Tropman Fund for Nonprofit Research are complete. These studies address many of the strategic challenges and opportunities affecting nonprofits in the Pittsburgh region.

You are cordially invited to a special half-day conference on November 2, 2005, featuring these new research findings. At the conclusion of this special event, we will announce the recipient of the fifth annual Alfred W. Wishart, Jr. Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, as well as present the 2005 Frieda Shapira Medal. Also, The Pittsburgh Foundation will present the Isabel Kennedy Award. (We’ll have lots to celebrate!)

This year's Annual Nonprofit Research Conference is presented in cooperation with Robert Morris University (our host), as well as Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy, Duquesne University’s School of Leadership, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, 3:00-4:00 pm Workshops
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm Research and Awards Presentations

5:30 pm Reception

Hosted at the Sewall Center, Robert Morris University, Moon Township Campus, Main Campus, 6001 University Boulevard, Moon Township, PA 15108.


PARKING NOTE. Parking is available in the upper lot for which the campus will have electronic signage posted.

RSVP: Amy Thomas at thomasa@pghfdn.org, accepting RSVPs by e-mail only.

When you RSVP to Amy Thomas, please indicate if you will:

A. Attend a workshop; and, if so, which one. (Please see the list below.)
B. Attend the research and awards presentations.
Or
C. Attend both a workshop and the research and awards presentations.

Three concurrent workshops will be held from 3:00 until 4:00. All rooms are located in the Sewall Center, Robert Morris University, Moon Township Campus. All 3 workshops will be limited to the first 30 respondents.

WORKSHOPS
1. The Cost of Meting Compliance: A Case Study of Challenges, Time Investments and Dollars Spent (please designate this as session 1 for RSVP)

2. Service Clustering: Building Cohesive Public Service Capacity (please designate this as session 2 for RSVP)

3. Why Engage? Understanding the Incentive to Build Nonprofit Capacity (please designate this as session 3 for RSVP)

These 3 research projects will be presented and discussed in brief during the session beginning at 4:15pm in the International Suite at the Sewall Center. (Seating for the research and awards presentations is limited to 300 people.)

Please RSVP soon. We apologize, in advance, if we cannot accommodate your participation in one of the workshops. As with our recent conferences, we will maintain a waiting list, if necessary, and advise you about openings.

We hope you will join us for this special opportunity to explore emerging issues and cutting edge methodologies for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh.

Forrest City -- sits on property in Cleveland

This is a great read.

Peirce for Ohio Governor 2006 - On the Trail -- Can Cleveland Use Property Taxes to Prod Intransigent Developers? Forest City had hyped similar plans in 1989, after it gained control of much of the property, but nothing happened. The convention center's implosion has the company reverting yet again to squirrel mode. "It will sit for a long time," the co-chairman of Forest City, Sam Miller, said of the peninsula.

Peirce for Ohio Governor 2006 - Eminent Domain comes to front in race and state

Eminent domain is getting attention in Ohio, now. My recent eminent domain talk/blog posting got attention and a link from a site in Oregon.

Peirce for Ohio Governor 2006 The Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral arguments regarding the demolition of Joe Horney's and Carl and Joy Gamble's homes on Wednesday, September 28th at 9 AM.
The Libertarian Party of Ohio, the Peirce for Ohio campaign, and other property rights groups are currently organizing a petition effort to amend the Ohio Constitution.

Murphy wants more state help with budget

The big elephant behind the three Americans, (Erik, Mark and Grant). Talk about the elephant in the room already.

Murphy wants more state help with budget - PittsburghLIVE.com 'We did not talk about what some people call the elephant in the room today,' Murray said. 'We didn't talk about 20 percent of the budget going to pay that debt service.'

Step Trek -- Volunteer in my absence -- but do it for yourself

We missed the South Side Slopes StepTrek -- but we hit some other steps in the hopes of generating some good karma with those back home.

Erik's taking a trek.

This year's South Side Slopes Steptrek, Steptrek.org, occurs soon -- while we are in Hong Kong. We'll walk Victoria's Peek and make other treks on the other side of the world -- and we'll be thinking of you on the South Side Slopes. Does that mean that when I'm over there walking up a pathway, it would be like walking downward over here? However, check out this opportunity to participate with a last call from Bev, one of the great community organizers. Good group of people, nice cause, splendid views.

StepTrek Volunteer Meeting! We will need upwards of 50 volunteers this Sunday and we have ~ half that amount. Please help us out!

There will be a meeting, at which you will receive a free Trek tee shirt, on this Thursday, September 29th at 7:00 pm at my (BEV's) house 126 Pius Street. It will be a quick meeting. We will go over the event and where volunteers are needed.

There are many jobs. We need a driver, people to walk the route and put up direction signs, we need a couple of people along the route to direct walkers. We have 6 artist venues with 3 water stations where people need to be. We need people to help park cars, put up tents, take down tents, set up tables & chairs, register people, sell pedometers, cut fruit, you name it & there is a job for that!

Please email me here if you want to volunteer & can't make it Thursday. We also need pick up trucks to deliver to the water stations. Volunteers times go from 8:00 am to - 4:30 pm. On hour, or as many as you can give!

Volunteers Saturday, October 1st! We will quickly walk the routes one last time this Saturday. The majority of the litter was picked up last Saturday, but we want one last check of the route. Also, I will be at the Triangle Garden 18th & Josephine. Lamar is supposed to fix it by Friday - I am not holding my breath. For those who missed it an overzealous subcontractor weed-whacked it - 3 weeks ago. Anyway it looks like crap. It will need some sprucing. The Greeley Garden also needs some TLC. We will meet at 21st & Josephine Streets at 9 am.

StepTrek October 2, 2005! Here it comes, our 5th Trek! We would like you to come & be a part of it. The website is full of details. Our Honorary Chairperson is Adelaide LaFond, she has graciously allowed us to use one of her designs on the tee shirt front. It is beautiful! The event formally runs from noon to 4 pm. Trek it out!

Thanks, all! We need you! Bev :)

The Sprout Fund opens some murals in the near future

The Sprout FundCentral North Side Thu Sept 29 @ 6:30pm 1300 Federal St
Downtown Fri Sept 30th @ 5:30pm Smithfield St & Strawberry Way
Homewood Brushton Sat Oct 1 @ 3pm Meadows Bowling Alley at 7340 Frankstown Ave
South Side Tue Oct 4 at 5:30pm Don's Green Front Inn at 2341 E Carson St
Hazelwood Wed Oct 5 @ 5pm 2nd Ave & Elizabeth St

N-TEN : Global ICT Conference in DC about global crisis response

N-TEN: Global ICT Conference Answering the call: Katrina, the Tsunami, Darfur, Afghanistan -- lessons learned from the Global ICT responses

Well done in the state capital

The protest was a success. And, it looks like some of those pigs are cooked.
Nice photo of Mr. Shiller ran on the front page of the PG site.

Protesters urge state legislators to roll back pay raises ... Brothers Frank and Gerald Schiller, who live in Wilkins and own property in Downtown Pittsburgh, held signs reading 'The Costas cost too much,' referring to their legislators, Sen. Jay Costa Jr., D-Forest Hills, and his brother, Rep. Paul Costa, D-Wilkins, who both voted for the raise.

The Schillers said they supported the Costas for election in the past but no more. Jay Costa later declined comment...

The large inflatable pink 'anti-pay raise pig,'' which got statewide attention in newspapers last week, was back for another appearance at the rally.

The protest rally was organized by Harrisburg activists Gene Stilp, who has filed a state lawsuit seeking to overturn the raise, and Eric Epstein, who has led protests over the Three Mile Island nuclear plant near Harrisburg.

They joined a dozen groups including Common Cause, Pennsylvania Clean Sweep, the Commonwealth Foundation, Democracy Rising PA and others that have kept alive the protest against the raise."

Firefighters union backs Republican for mayor

I don't expect to get a thank-you note from Joe Weinroth, but I'll chalk up some self-absorbed high-fives on this news. As an estimate, I bet I called and poked and visited and dropped in on the firefighters' brass -- in one way or another -- more than 100 times in the past five years. Some of those brushes with perspective paved the way for this news.

Think beach-head.

Firefighters union backs Republican for mayor The union representing Pittsburgh firefighters has endorsed Republican Joe Weinroth's bid for mayor in a surprise break from labor's usual preference.

International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1 President Joe King said the decision made Friday by the union's political committee was unanimous. 'It's probably the first time, that I remember, that the fire union has backed a Republican candidate for mayor,' said King.

However, you know what they say about playing with fire. But then again, there are times when you need to set a fire to stop a firestorm. The puns can flame away all day and night in the comments.
Way to go Joe. I'm glad to see the union putting some wind in your sails.

Roosevelt holds chat

Tuesday log of the chat is available. Search the PG site for Roosevelt and chat. What was raised for the new Superintendent of Pgh Public Schools, Mark Roosevelt.

Online chats could present many excellent opportunities for the community and the school's parents to raise questions -- but this is hardly the case with the Post-Gazette's style.

I was part of a PG chat when the Bassmasters Classic was in town. The chat is so -- 1983. There is no real-time interaction. It is all moderated.

If the Post-Gazette wants to get serious about online interaction, we'd have a lot to look forward to.

In the case of Pittsburgh Public Schools, it would be wonderful to have online chats so that questions can be raised in a faceless way. Teachers, principals, volunteers, and even bus drivers could go to the chat and put something into the mind of the boss and have little fear of a backlash on the whistleblower.

Are you aware of such and such at this school on that date? What's going to be done?

Furthermore, the Pgh Public Schools might be able to make an online chat work without the Post Gazette's help and restrictions. Why can't weekly chats happen just among the resources within PPS?

Mark_Roosevelt: Thanks to everyone who participated. Sorry that there was not enough time to answer all of the questions. Maybe we should do this again.

Carnegie Urban Hike on Saturday

My kids play violin at the Pittsburgh Music Academy, in Carnegie, often on Saturdays. So, I'm hopeful I'll stop by -- if we are not swimming from 9 to 11 am.

Carnegie has been through a lot in the past year, and now they have to deal with us! Urban Hike is in Carnegie this Saturday to look at how one community is working to come back from last September’s floods. We’ll visit the home of a Pirates legend and check out Carnegie’s thriving arts scene. Meet us outside a rather artsy café called Eccentricities, 222 Third Avenue, 10 am, October 1st. There should be plenty of street parking. The hike will take about three hours. As always, comfortable shoes, sunscreen and water are excellent ideas. We’re glad you thought of them!

Click comments for directions.

The South Side Sabres play against Chartiers Valley this weekend too.

Techyvent/Pittsburgh: e-Learning Comes of Age

Techyvent/Pittsburgh: e-Learning Comes of Age: "e-Learning Comes of Age -- Access to Broadband, New Technology Dramatically Cuts Costs by Sheldon Murphy

A free, on-site consoltation comes to the subscribers of this newsletter. That might be worth the price of admission.

More power to you -- comes in handy from time to time.

Summertime strength was needed recently by one of the youngsters. See comments for the full (edited) version.

Photo showed Coach Jason and some of the charges on the lawn at the Green Tree Swim Pool before a swim practice this summer.

Hot Rod Ludwig

Les Ludwig and his new wheels that have been decorated for his campaign.

At least he didn't get drunk at the Steeler game this weekend.

At least he isn't driving around town in a city-owned car.

At least he had lived in Hong Kong.

At least he was a business man.

At least he has a never-give-up attitude.

What else can you say?

Patriot -- and the guy with the arrow in the back

My son, 10, didn't wear either of his Patriots jersey's to school on Friday, black and gold day. But he is wearing #12, Drew's jersey, today. Ouch.

He just loves the Patriots. What are you going to do?

And, the love goes out to the Red Sox too.

At least he has great taste.

There is a family connection to Boston and New England.

Fifth and Forbes, Steigerwald's opinion: Give the free market a chance

Fifth and Forbes & the highest bidder - PittsburghLIVE.com It's time to give the free market a chance to fix Fifth and Forbes.
Government has proven it can't redevelop the two once-proud downtown Pittsburgh shopping streets; it can only strangle and kill them.
Thanks to decades of City Hall's ineptitude and serial abuse of its powers, the Fifth-and-Forbes corridor today is a shabby, undervalued and embarrassing wasteland.

Then he calls for an ebay sell off of the entire URA.

I too have called for the liquidation of the URA. It is an office that should be downsized to nothing.

The URA is holding a lot of property. Those properties number more than 5,000 lots. Those properties are not even on an inventory listing. For starters, let's see a map of the city with the URA Properties clearly marked. The URA can't provide that.

The URA properties don't generate tax incomes. So, those of us that own properties ourselves have to pay more in taxes to support the URA holdings.

However, there are a few problems with the total sell-off of the URA's properties. First, if the URA dumps 5,000 properties onto the marketplace at one time, all the other properties in the city and county are going to nose dive. The supply and demand formula is going to get shaken to its core. In due time, the prices and the marketplace tumbles will self correct. So, perhaps we take a big hit now and ride it out. In the long run, we'll all be much better. In the long run, our properties will then grow in value as our city rebounds in other services too.

Another problem with the total sell-off of the URA assets is the fact that the buyers would be entering Allegheny County. Our population growth is flat. Our economic outlook is questionable. Process problems about taxes linger. And, our leadership is about to change from one one grey-haired, white Democrat to another of same age who can hug and kiss a bit better than than other, more abrasive one. A bulk of the leaders in the past and present are cut from the same cloth that allows corporate welfare and hates to trust the free market and the people of the region.

So, a sell off of the URA property with eBay would help, no doubt. But, the sales needs to be staged. Furthermore, the liquidation of all authorties need to begin. And, system-wide reform is necessary as well.

If we had a splendid landscape of reforming attitudes and systems, then the sell off of the URA properties would cause a windfall for the city and generate a buzz throughout the nation.

I've ranted in the past that we should sell off the side-lots to homeowners who are within a 200-yard distance to the vacant land right away. Then extend the distances each season.

In the early months of 2006, the city needs to get serious about enforcement. If you have over-grown side lots breeding rats, cracked sidewalks, garbage without closed dumpsters and such -- warnings and tickets need to be issued. We need to get the city to do its job with rodent control, and that can occur in two blinks. Then we need everyone's expectations to change.

We need a rebirth in terms of respect for the city. Where you park your car; how you handle your trash; and when you scream your head off (i.e., not in the wee hours) matters. City-life needs cooperation among its citizens. Police and inspectors need to give attention to these basic jobs as well.

Considering eBay and auctions: Pitt's throwback uniforms are for sale now.

Part of my heart is in Harrisburg today -- but my wife is on about DePaul

Best of luck and highest hopes to all who are in Harrisburg today to send a message of scorn and revenge to the state capital bandits. Rock on!

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the radio dial, my wife, Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., is on with Chilly Billy as they do a remote broadcast from DePaul School. Catherine is on the board there. I think she's on the air from 1 to 2 or 2 to 3 pm.

In non-P.C. terms, DePaul is a school for the deaf. Today, however, many of the kids are not "deaf" -- as they have had a surgery and implants help to restore hearing -- stimulating the inner ear. They have a wonderful school environment. The facility moved from the South Hills to Shadyside just a few years ago.