Tonight's Meeting about the closed indoor rink -- online at TalkShoe - to start at 9:30 pm

I've got to adjust, slightly, the time for the meeting tonight, online, via TalkShoe.com. I advertised it as a 9 pm meeting. We'll start, in earnest, at 9:30 pm.

Pittsburgh - Carlisle hitting campaign trail following criminal charges - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper

Call backs are nice.

Pittsburgh - Carlisle hitting campaign trail following criminal charges - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper 'I have been very dissatisfied with the job she has been doing for a very long time,' says Point Breeze resident Joni Rabinowitz of Just Harvest, who is supporting challenger Ricky Burgess. Carlisle, Rabinowitz says, 'is never available to talk to you when you call, and she's never sponsored any legislation.'

More on Rutgers

From china - sculp...

Seems Imus, the radio shock jock, picked on the wrong folks at Rutgers. He should have put the President, McCormick, into his sights.

CollegeSwimming.com::More on Rutgers a living, breathing portrait of an institution run by individuals who have risen to their level of incompetence.

The Busman's Holiday: Oh, The Places You'll Go: The Reporter-Free Zone

The Busman's Holiday: Oh, The Places You'll Go: The Reporter-Free Zone For one, it's a window into what reporters sometimes face in gathering the most simple information from public officials.

Public life should not be closed like this.

If I'm the mayor, and anyone behaves like this to you or to others in the public realm -- they'd be put on probation.

This is "OUR HOUSE" -- this is the house of government. This is where the people's business occurs.

All restricted hallways of City Hall should be made un-restricted. If folks want to lock up an office, fine. But hallways don't need to be closed to the people and the media.

Rant: It is too hard for me to not be insulting to council when they dare talk about aquatics and swim pools

The political will for swimming and aquatics shown by city council and the mayor in recent times has not been strong enough to float a turd in a toilet.

The vision for aquatics and swim pools from those in elected office on Grant Street has been worse than the vision of that turd as it swirls down the drain.

And to sustain the insulting metaphor, I don't blame the staff and directors, such as Dwayne Ashley and Mike Radley, as it is impossible to make chicken soup when your only given chicken poop.

It is insulting to see what could have been done, and it could have been fixed.

For me, this goes back to 1999 when the city pulled the permit for the age group competitive swim team that used to practice at the Oliver Bath House. We went to council, and nobody lifted a finger.

When SAVE-OUR-SUMMER '04 came, I was clear as to what could and should be done. Zippo came from the mayor's office and council.

If I was in charge, there would be drastic changes. Volunteers would be accepted. Interns from around the world would come to Pittsburgh as coaches. Cooperation with the private sector would flourish.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying we should give more or even any money to Citiparks. The plan I put forth years ago called for the formation of a Pittsburgh Park District, http://Play.CLOH.Org. The treatment of our kids is too important to leave to the folly of those on Grant Street.

What is unlike the city vs. the suburban areas is the coordination among public schools. There is NONE in the city.

The County Parks system should merge with Citiparks. Then we'd have a Park District. There is much to talk about with ring of services and facilities that are not in the city. Let's start by talking about the city owned ice rinks, outdoors at Schenley and indoors on the South Side.

Some topic's I'd advance from drawing board to programs would include:

swim lessons (yes, some)
Water polo (boys, girls, men, women, co-ed)
Swim teams
swim meets
Syncro
springboard diving
platform diving
syncro diving
distance swimming
snorkel swimming
fin swimming
open water swimming
underwater hockey
scuba
Lifesaving competitions
Jr. Lifesaving
Lifeguard camps
EMS training
boating
toy boating
canoe water polo
science day at the pool
water carnivals
intergernerational programs
water running
jump training
hydro training, strength (tiny)
water aerobics (yes)
coaching training – teach the teacher
stroke analysis – video taping -
baby swimming
baby video tapes (very popular in Austria)
Re-opening of YWCA downtown
Re-opening of Gladstone Middle School's pool
Re-opening of swim pool at South Vo Tech, and many other pools in closed schools. And, they'd have purpose.

State panel hammers out vital ethics reforms. I'll be there

I'm speaking at 11:20 am, Thursday, in the Gold Room, Allegheny County Courthouse. The topics: Term limits, open government/records, campaign finance reform, and size of legislature.

State panel hammers out vital ethics reforms The Pittsburgh hearing is planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gold Room of the Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant St., Downtown. Speakers will be limited to 10 minutes and must sign up by sending e-mail messages to reform@speakerobrien.com or by calling Bill Patton at 1-717-787-4610.

Carbolic Smoke Ball talks of access to the Mayor

Carbolic Smoke Ball MAYOR: ABSENCE OF MEANINGFUL ELECTION WON'T CHANGE ACCESSIBILITY TO VOTERS, PRESS

He’s inviting all of them to stand behind the barricades along his coronation route next January.

Recent Discussions: Insights into BootCamp Pgh (today's noon conversation) + last night's meeting with classmates from Penn Hills '77.

Click for the iTunes selection in the iTunes store (still free) for my TalkShoe.com TalkCast called Take Your Mark.


More than 20 people joined into a TalkCast at noon today, Wed, April 18, to further organize and prepare for the Saturday technology event called BootCampPgh.org. The event begins at 9 am and ends after 4 pm. Free Food. Free Information!

Listen to the one hour show as organizers fine tune the schedule and the sessions are talked about, class by class.

This is a day you don't want to miss.

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Last night a dozen or so used a TalkCast to gather energy for a 30th class reunion. Penn Hills Class of 1977 is getting its act together so we can toss a party in November -- for up to 500 people.

---

You can listen into either show as you desire.

Ismail Ax: The Shooter Was Another 'Son of Sacrifice'

Jerry Bowyer gives his insights.

TCS Daily - Ismail Ax: The Shooter Was Another 'Son of Sacrifice' This morning I read that the Virginia Tech shooter died with the name Ismail Ax written in red ink on his arm. The mainstream press doesn't seem to have a clue as to what this might mean. To quote Indiana Jones, 'Didn't any of you guys go to Sunday School?'

Signature requirements for 3rd party candidates for Allegheny County Council

County Council District # + Number of Signatures Required

District 2 = 362

District 5 = 356

District 6 = 266

District 7 = 261

District 9 = 250

District 10 = 273

District 11 = 341

District 12 = 250

District 13 * (District of Mark Rauterkus) = 270

Today the kids in Beechview don't swim like they used to.

Yesterday, Pgh's City Council hosted a post-agenda about swimming pools. A post-agenda is a meeting where onlyl invited guests can speak and the public can't. And, it is a meeting where no votes are taken. They huddle without a care about any specific legislation.

The meeting was on TV, and that might have been the reason why they met at all. The meeting started 30-minutes late and went 30-minutes too long. Most of the other members of council had already left before some of the long-winded folks even came up for air.

A few bits of information was interesting and worth repeating.

A candid observation was made by Jim Motzink. He said that the kids in Beechview don't swim like they used to. They can't because they don't have a swim pool to go to any more.

The city has about 20 swim pools that are empty. There isn't any hope of putting them back in use. These are vacant properties on vital points in our neighborhoods. They are generally in prime locations. They have become maintance headaches where the grass needs to be cut, fences need to be mended and so on.

Nobody knows the conditions of these empty pools. It might take $40,000 to re-open some and $500,000 to re-open others. Right now little is known. Nothing seems to be documented. Assets are not detailed. No plan is being presented.

I'll be talking about this lack of plan today in city council chambers when I have three minutes to offer public comment.

Audio of Important Blast From the Past from 2001

Slashdot | Daylight Savings Time Puts Kid in Jail for 12 Days

Slashdot | Daylight Savings Time Puts Kid in Jail for 12 Days 'Cody Webb was jailed for calling in a bomb threat to his Hempstead Area high school (near Pittsburgh). He spent 12 days in lockup until the authorities realized that their caller-id log was off an hour because of the new Daylight Savings Time rules and that Cody had only called one hour prior to the actual bomb threat. Perhaps it took so long because of the principal's Catch-22 attitude about Cody's guilt — she said, 'Well, why should we believe you? You're a criminal. Criminals lie all the time.''

Say what? Where's Hempstead Area? What jail?

In tragedy, digital media came into its own

In tragedy, digital media came into its own In what media blogger Jeff Jarvis calls the 'new architecture of news' in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, there is this question: Who gets to own the story? The professional journalist from a traditional media organization, or the 'citizen journalist' posting on YouTube.com and elsewhere?

Mr. Steele adamantly believes the answer is the former, not the latter.

'CNN used [the cell phone video] as part of its story, but to call [Mr. Albarghouti] a citizen journalist is a misnomer and a mistake,' he said, noting that journalists have used witness accounts in their stories for decades, even centuries.

Interesting article. But, I beg to differ as to ownership. Nobody owns the story. Nobody should care about ownership. Things unfold in public and the public owns it. We all have a stake in the story, the dealings, the lives.

Of course there is a place for journalists. But, the journalist that want to own stuff will own nothing of value.

Workshop on APRIL 27 & 28: Understanding White Privilege

You are cordially invited to join members of the First Unitarian Church’s Anti-Racism Working Group to explore the issue of white privilege in our everyday lives and our society.

Join us for a respectful, probing examination of white privilege and its consequences for all of us—black, white, brown, yellow, red or in-between.

Led by Wilburn Hayden, Jr., PA's Social Worker of the year for 2006, PhD, ACSW, CMSW and SCWM, an accomplished facilitator workshop leader, this session will take place

FRIDAY, April 27 6 to 8 p.m.—Panel: Up Close and Personal—Shared experiences

SATURDAY, April 28 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Sessions covering: History, Definition of white privilege, discussion of racial, social and economic injustice and the often invisible role of white privilege, dismantling white privilege—taking action as a community

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, corner of Ellsworth and Morewood in Shadyside, Friday 4/27 6 p.m. (light supper included), Saturday 4/28 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (breakfast and lunch included). Fees: $10 to cover food and materials ($5 for students)

ALL WELCOME! Please RSVP for planning materials and meals. EMAIL: jjwmlr@earthlink.net or call 412-441-3586

Wilburn is a great and will do a wonderful job in this role.

Mark Rauterkus and Wilburn Hayden, Ph.D. from people & vips.

The Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh announces its endorsement of Richard Swartz for County Executive.

The Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh announces its endorsement of Richard Swartz for County Executive. A longtime neighborhood activist, the members were very impressed with both his knowledge of and commitment to our issues.

At the Club’s endorsement meeting of April 12, 2007, the member considered questionnaires from 26 candidates. For County Council we endorsed two good friends of the G / L / B / T community, incumbents Rich Fitzgerald and Brenda Frazier. Brenda Frazier, a primary supported of the County needle exchange program, is opposed by a party endorsed candidate. Losing either of these County Council members would be a real loss for our community. For Sheriff we endorsed Damon Brown.

For County Court Cathleen Bubash, Mike McCarthy, Jack McVay and Wrenna Watson were endorsed for the four open seats. We endorsed Ms. Watson two years ago. We were also very impressed with the questionnaires of Kelly Bigley, Arnold Klein and Joe Williams.

In the City of Pittsburgh the Club endorsed Michael Lamb for City Controller. He was our candidate for Mayor two years ago. Our second choice for City Controller would be Douglas Shields, who we did endorse for City Council. We were also very impressed with DaMon Macklin. For City Council, in addition to Mr. Shields the club endorsed Patrick Dowd and Bruce Kraus. All three candidates were endorsed by the Club last time they ran, Mr. Shields and Mr. Kraus for City Council and Mr. Dowd for School Board. Mr. Dowd’s opponent Leonard Bodack is a strong supporter of L / G / B / T rights. Club members wish he was a stronger supporter of a woman’s right to choose and civil marriage. For School Board we endorsed Sherry Hazuda and Heather Arnet. In the Downtown Pittsburgh Area the club endorsed Justin Lewis for District Justice.

In Wilkinsburg, we endorsed Paige Trice, Vanessa McCarthy-Johnson and Michael Lefebvre for Borough Council.

For Pennsylvania Supreme Court the members endorsed Debra Todd and Seamus McCaffery, both currently Superior Court Judges. The Club has supported Justice Todd before, but this is the first time we endorsed Justice McCaffery.

It is the policy of the club not to endorse candidate who will not commit themselves to support our issues in writing through the questionnaire. For Superior Court we endorsed Anne Lazarus and Christine Donohue for two seats. In addition we will also endorse Ronald Folino if we receive an acceptable questionnaire from him. The Club has endorsed him in the past.

Everyone was very pleased not only with the number of responses the club received, but also to the extent the candidates understand our issues. We urge you to vote on May 15th. For more information contact: Richard Meritzer – Chair, 412-404-7609, rmeritzer@yahoo.com

Invite: Scarlet Letter at Open Stage

Hawthorne’s classic tale in a heralded new adaptation by Phyllis Nagy is directed by David M. Maslow.

What determines right from wrong? Who and what determine morality?

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story of lust, adultery, hypocrisy and personal transformation comes excitingly to life in this highly acclaimed new adaptation daringly re-focused through the eyes of Hester Prynne’s bastard daughter, Pearl. While carefully preserving the familiar story of Hester, Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale, and the Puritan times in which they live, this decidedly contemporary deconstruction of the novel will surely be eye-opening and thought-provoking for all.

Performs Fri. April 27 through Sun. May 13 at Open Stage Theatre in the Strip District in the round.

Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM; Sundays at 2PM

Info at (412) 281-9700
Get Tkts via ProARTS at (412) 394-3353

A 'running mate' is in the show. It looks great. Makes you want to 'think again.'

KidsVoice presents Kites for Kids, April 21 at Station Square, To recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: King Communications, 412-661-5411

Pittsburgh, PA (April 2007) – KidsVoice, a local non-profit organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court and beyond, is presenting Kites for Kids at Station Square on April 21, 2007 as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Many organizations work hard to prevent and treat child abuse. What makes KidsVoice different is its mission and unique model of advocacy. KidsVoice advocates in court and in the community to ensure a safe and permanent home for abused, neglected and at-risk children through collaborative teams including attorneys and other child experts.

A startling number of children are abused in our community. Each year, KidsVoice represents 5,000 children who come from every zip code in Allegheny County. KidsVoice vigilantly guides each child through the court process and coordinates every agency involved to meet the full range of the child’s needs, ensuring that the most appropriate services are in place to protect children from future harm, with the ultimate goal of providing a safe and permanent home for every child.

KidsVoice teams attorneys with in-house experts trained in such areas as mental health, education, child development, case management, and substance abuse. These professionals can recognize the signs of abuse and neglect among children and coordinate assistance to the family.

According to Scott Hollander, Executive Director of KidsVoice “Kites for Kids is an opportunity for KidsVoice to communicate a message of hope and advocacy and familiarize people with our role in protecting our most precious resource, our children. The kites symbolize hope, a happy childhood, and a chance to soar, which unfortunately many local children do not experience. We hope that thousands of people will join us and help send the message to our clients that the community supports and believes in them.

Kites for Kids will be held at Station Square as part of its Spring Fling on April 21, 2007 from Noon – 4pm. The event, which will feature demonstrations, crafts, games, kites and much more, is free and open to the public.

For more information on KidsVoice.

About KidsVoice
Founded in 1908 as the Legal Aid Society of Pittsburgh, KidsVoice is team of diverse professionals committed to creating possibilities for abused, neglected and at-risk children to achieve their fullest potential. KidsVoice advocates for the rights and well being of children in the courtroom, classroom or wherever their voices must be heard.

KidsVoice is a leader among child advocacy organizations, providing a voice of hope, a voice for rights and a voice of experience for children who otherwise who cannot speak for themselves.

[412] Saturday's tech event at the Art Institute of Pgh is open and worthy for all

[412] Saturday's tech event at the Art Institute of Pgh is open and worthy for all:


Hi All,

You are invited to a few comunity events this week.

1. The PDF attachment covers the schedule of a grass-roots technology
event hosted at the Art Institute of Pgh all day on Saturday. Anyone that
surfs the net will be interested. More than 100 are signed up. We'll be
talking podcasting, video, photos and a little politics. Political
discussions are being shaped online now. After you attend a few of
these seminars, you'll be able to host your own blog and more.

I'm presenting about media and politics at 3 pm with a spokesperson
from the League of Young Voters. At 2 pm I'm talking about 'building
your brand.'

http://www.BootCampPgh.org

2. We're meeting tonight at 7 pm at Phillips Elem School to talk about
the RFP (request for proposals) from the city of Pgh about the closed
indoor ice rink on the South Side. Additionally, we'll meet on
Thursday night at 9 pm via http://TalkShoe.com to cover the same
topic.

3. I have running mates and more are welcome. A slate of citizen
candidates running under the "Libertarian" banner is now collecting
signatures from any voter in Allegheny County. Your assistance is
requested. My aim is to get 10,000 signatures just to insure we can
get on the ballot. If you can lend me your autograph on the nomination
papers (form) -- please reply to me at Mark at Rauterkus.com, or call.

4. Visit my blog and various sites for more insights and to see some new videos.


Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark at Rauterkus.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Attached PDF of News Release

Penn Hills Class of 77 Classmates

Classmates - My Announcements: Tonight there will be an online meeting that Mark Rauterkus is hosting on Talk Cast.

There is a talkcast meeting tonight if you can make it at 11PM EST. I know it's late but this is to accomodate people not on the east coast.

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Talkcast ID: 3177

Your PIN needs to be obtained by going to TalkShoe. com. You'll need your PIN to enter the discussions for speaking and listening. Get that in advance of the meeting. It might take a few minutes.

Mark Rauterkus will play host and helper. The show is simply called, 'On your mark.' We've got to get started.

Jumpcut - Get $1K for winning a concest with a 2-minute video

Jumpcut - Group: If you had just two minutes to show someone what to see, feel and imagine about the future of our world and its resources, what would you do?

Get your message out by participating in the GreenWorld Contest and get discovered as a powerful new talent. Go to www.sffs.org for inspiration provided by leading green activists and organizations on burning issues.

The GRAND PRIZE is $1,000; your work featured at our May 9 GreenWorld Celebration during the 50th San Francisco Int'l Film Festival