Five Year Road Map for Pittsburgh Public Schools

Get out your decoder rings.

Curfew Crashes

The City of Pittsburgh Curfew Center for teens crashed. The policy called for $500,000 spending in its first year. All agree that the model is broken. The assistant police chief said that the law should be changed as it is not working.

When this budget and the law passed, months and years ago -- I pitched a fit. It was bad news at day zero IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion). I hated it and what it stood to do.

The overnight part didn't work. The expense didn't work. The RFP didn't work. The law didn't work

Fw: [ronpaul-1834] New Meetup: Unite in Action 2010 March on DC!

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Gary <dragonflydreams2@hotmail.com>

Sender: ronpaul-1834-announce@meetup.com

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:34:07 -0400

To: <ronpaul-1834-announce@meetup.com>

ReplyTo: ronpaul-1834@meetup.com

Subject: [ronpaul-1834] New Meetup: Unite in Action 2010 March on DC!

Announcing a new Meetup for The Ron Paul Revolution: Pittsburgh!

What: Unite in Action 2010 March on DC!

When: Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:00 AM

Where: Washington D.C.
U.S. Capitol Bldg
Washington, DC 20515

We're the People We've Been Waiting For!
~~
Unite in Action! Be a part of history and preserve Liberty for the future.
Join us September 9th through 12th, 2010 as we MARCH ON D.C.

Unite in Action would like to invite you to come join us as We the People gather from sea to shining sea and converge on our nation's capital for 4 full days patriotic events and presentations.

The 2010 March on DC is not just a rally. It is four whole days of spectacular freedom promoting events that will educate, inform and inspire all who attend.

The March on DC and associated events are truly grassroots—our leadership consists of members from some of the country's largest independent conservative-minded organizations. All those involved in the planning of this event are non-partisan volunteers who share the common goal of unifying constitutional patriots to preserve liberty and the Constitutional principles this nation was founded on.

This is an event of the people, by the people and for the people—it is We the People United in Action!

For more information: http://www.marchondc.org.

RSVP to this Meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-1834/calendar/14106208/




--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list (ronpaul-1834@meetup.com)
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Fw: Pa. Turnpike Bridge Piers -- Urgent Opportunity and Call to Action!

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: "Fawcett, David" <david.fawcett@bipc.com>

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:20:29 -0400

To: Fawcett, David<david.fawcett@bipc.com>

Subject: Pa. Turnpike Bridge Piers -- Urgent Opportunity and Call to Action!

Dear Riverfront Park Supporter:

 

As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the steel spans of the old Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge traversing 14 Mile Island and the Allegheny River at the Allegheny Valley/Harmarville exit were demolished yesterday, but "the turnpike is holding off on demolishing the bridge piers while Allegheny County considers whether to preserve them for a future bike trail crossing."

 

There are presently four enormous stone piers left standing:  two lead to 14 Mile Island from Harmar Township, two abut the island, and one abuts the shoreline on the Plum Township side of the river. These piers could be very valuable someday to allow for pedestrian and bike access to 14 Mile Island or as a trail connector between trails that some day may line one or both sides of the Allegheny River.  14 Mile Island is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (DCNR), and is a tranquil island with swimming and fishing spots and sandy beaches.  It would be a great opportunity someday to provide Allegheny County residents and visitors with access to this treasure of an island. 

 

Although providing a bridge connection to the island or spanning the entire river are only possibilities at this time, these possibilities will be lost forever if the piers are destroyed!  Bridge piers like these would cost tens of millions of dollars to construct.  Initial analyses indicate that the piers would result in minimal expense to maintain and minimal risk of liability exposure, but these are concerns expressed by County officials.

 

The decision whether to dynamite the piers or preserve them for future use will be made in the next few days or weeks.  An email from you to our County Executive, Dan Onorato, would be very important to keep this opportunity alive!  If you agree that the piers should not be destroyed, please email Mr. Onorato now and let your voice be heard.  Put it in your own words or simply ask "Please keep the Turnpike Bridge piers!"  His email address is executive@alleghenycounty.us.  You may also want to send a copy to Council Members at council@alleghenycounty.us.   And forward this email along to others who share the vision!

 

You were an important supporter of the concept of the vision of a Countywide Riverfront Park -- defined as a linear park, running from county line to county line on one side or the other of all of our major rivers, with bridge connections and amenities all along the way.  Great progress has been made toward the completion of this vision -- with a comprehensive network of riverfront trails well on the way.  Our County Executive has been a great supporter of riverfront development and trail efforts, but now is the time to stand behind him to preserve this special opportunity.  He needs to hear from you!  In the meantime, please call or email me directly if you have questions or need more information.

 

Thanks!

 

Dave Fawcett

Former At-Large Member

Allegheny County Council 

 

 

______________________

David B. Fawcett

301 Grant St., 20th Floor

Pittsburgh, PA    15219

(412) 562-3931

 

 

TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER: Any federal tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, by you for the purpose of (1) avoiding any penalty that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. If you would like such advice, please contact us.

 

Above email is for intended recipient only and may be confidential and protected by attorney/client privilege.

If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender immediately.

Unauthorized use or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.

 

Fw: [Locals] Reminder: Tour www.GoodNeighbors.net web tool features Friday, July 16 @ 11am PDT

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: "Cheryl Honey" <cheryl@communityweaving.org>
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:08:12
To: <wecare@goodneighbors.net>
Reply-To: locals@forums.e-democracy.org
Subject: [Locals] Reminder: Tour www.GoodNeighbors.net web tool features Friday, July 16 @ 11am PDT

Please forgive cross postings. Pass along this invite to those you feel
would be interested in this presentation.



I'm forwarding this invite to all community builders, NCDD members, friends
and colleagues who want to tour the features of the GoodNeighbors.net. This
web tool developed by volunteers enables neighbors to pool human and
tangible resources, self-organize activities, share great ideas, collaborate
on projects and organize community initiatives. It also offers agencies and
businesses a way to list resources such as workshops, speakers, goods and
services. We consider this the "prototype" of a more powerful tool that we
could develop together. This is an open source technology. Let's have some
fun adding some graphics, bells and whistles. We need to weave a global
grass roots safety net ASAP. We've got to work together to help and empower
our neighbors in need!



I'm giving a tour of the features of the www.GoodNeighbors.net web tool that
is a tool to advance Community Weaving neighborhoods, groups, and our whole
world on Friday, July 16 at 11am PDT. I discovered Mikogo.com, a free
screen sharing site. Please confirm your interest in participating in the
tour by sending me your email address and I'll simply add your name to the
list. We'll use FreeConference.com to connect everyone by phone and then
I'll share my screen using Mikogo. I've tested this free and user-friendly
tool with 3 colleagues and even though it requires a simple download
application, it is very safe and simple to use.



Features of http://www.goodneighbors.net include:



. Free registration to be a Good Neighbor

. Free registration for organizations to be Community Weaving Partners

. Drop down menus make it easy to pool skills, equipment and experience in
Resource Treasury

. Organizations may list programs, services and resources in the Village
Resource Directory

. Free searches to find resources based on multiple criteria selection

. Free searches to locate Good Neighbors who live nearby or share common
interests

. Create Group ID to interconnect group members.

. Post social, recreational and educational opportunities

. Locate activities on Activities Calendar

. View Community Weaver trainings schedule

. View Family Advocate training schedule

. Map assets of groups and communities*

. Publish alphabetized directory of resources*

. Publish group rosters*

. Publish email lists*

. Publish reports based on specified selection criteria*

. Compile data to measure type, frequency, levels and value of engagement*
(Able to integrate values into a time-banking system)





* Trained Community Weavers who pass background checks receive a one-year
free subscription to all the reporting features of the GNN website. This
safeguards how personal information is accessed and used for security
purposes.





At 3 pm in the afternoon, I'm offering free technical support for all those
signing up as Good Neighbors in the website. So save an hour between 3-4pm
PDT if you want to participate in this session.



Looking forward to connecting with those of you interested in weaving
community with this new web tool at GoodNeighbors.net. Hope we can
collaborate on a project that will weave a new world to save our children's
future.



Cheryl



Cheryl Honey, CPP

Family Support network, Int'l

(206) 240-2241

cheryl@communityweaving.org

www.communityweaving.org

www.familynetwork.org

www.goodneighbors.net



"The more resourceful we are among ourselves, the more valuable a resource
we become to our families, our communities and our world."








Cheryl Honey
Long Beach Peninsula, Long Beach
Info about Cheryl Honey: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5DwhSrEaKD7p7FbmEcxYP3

View all messages on this topic at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/396zCjkm72YpItUVMV3OjW
-----------------------------------------
To post, e-mail: locals@forums.e-democracy.org
Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly.
To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on"
in subject, then send to: locals@forums.e-democracy.org

More information about Locals Online - For hosts of neighborhood e-lists, placeblogs, and community social nets:
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Pittsburgh to host 2013 Frozen Four

Pittsburgh to host 2013 Frozen Four: "The NCAA has selected Pittsburgh as host of the 2013 Frozen Four hockey tournament, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The championship event, which is similar to college basketball's Final Four, will take place at the Consol Energy Center."

We were in Rochester, NY, when this happened recently -- and Rochester had its team in the Frozen Four.

Ex-Cats trying to recapture their glory days in swimming

Amanda, you go girl! Or, you go mom!

Ex-Cats trying to recapture their glory days in swimming: "It is so ironic. Beard used to be swimming's Next Big Thing, a gold medalist at 14. Now, at 28, she is attempting to qualify for her fifth Olympiad after giving birth to her son, Blaise, nine months ago.
'I'm nervous and excited,' the ex-Wildcat tweeted. 'I want to see where I am in my training. I'm crossing my fingers that my muscles remember.' Beard has not swum competitively for two years."

Report: City's liabilities shrinking, tax revenues growing - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

So, let's do the math.

Report: City's liabilities shrinking, tax revenues growing - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The $16,000 report was paid for by a grant from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, one of two state-picked boards overseeing the city's finances since 2004."

A 14 page report costs $16,000. That's more than $1,000 per page.

And, the report was not paid for nor done by the elected City Controller. Rather the OVERLORDS were kind enough to pay for the report. Jeepers. We've still got two sets of OVERLORDS. The state government granted the OVERLORDS the authority in Pittsburgh to watch the money -- but they that OVERLORD groups grants money to others to do the work.

Enough already.

Fire the OVERLORDS. Have the CONTROLLER do reports and audits himself.

A Badge of Dishonor: Ravenstahl's Solution to Pension Crisis - The Point

A Badge of Dishonor: Ravenstahl's Solution to Pension Crisis - The Point: "Even more absurd is that as a scare-tactic, Ravenstahl suggested that he might need to lay off four hundred police officers if we do not meet this deficit. Why are the police always seemingly the first to go? Those we need the most are apparently the most dispensable. Since apparently neither the citizens nor the police rank high on Pittsburgh’s lists of priorities, I ask again, how did this happen?"

The Police are not always the first to go. There was a time when the swim pools and rec centers got to be first and worst. Then there have been crossing guards, rodent control, bus routes, Great Race, Civic Arena, Brownfield redevelopment, traffic engineers, pedestrian walkways and stairs, capital budgets, ice rinks, G-20 protestors, a fire station even was rumored to be on the first or next list. To continue, schools, airport terminals, ...

Julian's report

See the comments.

52 take a swim in tepid Allegheny

This is fun on a number of levels.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10193/1072155-51.stm?cmpid=newspanel1#ixzz0tWYIoMvS

Despite a dead river rat and fish, some leaves and branches, and too-warm water, conditions were nearly ideal for U.S. Master Swimming's "Search for Monongy" event -- even if few knew what the event name meant.

About midday Sunday, 52 swimmers swam a 1.2-mile loop in the Allegheny River -- some doing it twice -- from the Heinz Field boat ramp against the current to a turn-around under the Clemente Bridge. During the first-ever 1.2 and 2.4-mile open water swim, one swimmer had to be fished from the river with cramps and another couldn't complete the loop.

But the rest praised the "flawless" and "well-organized" event as one great, wet adventure.

52 take a swim in tepid Allegheny: "Jimmy Goldman, 73, of Squirrel Hill, and his son, Carl, 46, of Greenfield, rode bikes seven miles to the river before the elder Mr. Goldman swam 1.2 miles -- 1.3 miles counting a wayward detour -- and won his 70-to-75 age division. The younger Mr. Goldman finished the 2.4-mile competition at 54:14, second only to Robert Clark of Pittsburgh, who finished in 53:02."


Then the tireless Goldmans pedaled home.

"The important thing is getting fed," the elder Mr. Goldman said afterward, eating a doughnut then a sandwich. "There were leaves, one bottle and something dead, but the river was really clear and clean, and a hair on the warm side."

Actually it was a tepid 84 degrees Fahrenheit with a gentle 0.1 mph current.

Most swimmers have high-school and college swimming experience and now are members of swimming clubs, including the event sponsor, Allegheny Mountain Masters, the local chapter of U.S. Masters Swimming, an organization of amateur adult swimmers.

The U.S. Coast Guard closed the 0.6-mile segment of the river to boat traffic, with River Rescue and volunteer kayakers available to help swimmers in distress.

Two people entered the "white-knuckles" division that allows fins and floating devices, but the other 52 swimmers were buoyed only by confidence.

"There are no lines on the bottom, and it's hard to swim straight," said Matt Meade, 45, of Mt. Lebanon, after completing the 1.2-mile race. "It was inspiring going under the big [Fort Duquesne] bridge and looking side to side to see the big city. It was pretty special."

Brian Day, 50, of Canonsburg, finished second overall in the 1.2-mile race with a time of 30:01, despite going 400 yards beyond the turn-around buoy under the Clemente Bridge. Janet McDonough, 51, of Cranberry, posted the winning 1.2-mile time of 29:08.

"Once you are in, you are committed," Mr. Day said. "You can't grab the wall and rest."

Overall winners and runners-up received Dick's Sporting Goods gift certificates, while age-group winners won blue and red ribbons.

Event organizer Katherine Longwell, of Sewickley, and chairwoman of Allegheny Mountain Masters, said the "Search for Monongy" -- local river lore about a man-eating catfish named Monongy -- was so successful the so-called search will be repeated next year.

And, for sure, cheers erupted when Dave Watterson, 52, of Brentwood, was the last to emerge from the river, uneaten by Monongy, after the 2.4-mile swim. An organizer even proclaimed with sounds of surprise, "We didn't lose anybody." Drying off, Mr. Watterson said he was more than anxious to repeat the river hunt for Monongy.

"They should hold another one in January," he said.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10193/1072155-51.stm?cmpid=newspanel1#ixzz0tWYQC1qD

Erik and I rode our bikes to the North Shore to soak in the event yesterday and check it out. So, we were there as the reporter was doing the interviews, talking to our friends, the Goldmans and Dave -- both quoted above.

Carl is in great shape these days. He is fast. He beat Erik in the open water race at Moraine State Park a few weeks ago.

This day Erik was swimming in the pool -- as there was a USA Swimming meet, a "senior curcuit meet" at Pitt's pool. It is a 'senior meet' but not a 'masters meet.' The open water swim was for 'masters.' Erik swam the 100 meter free and again did the 100 meter in the relay, otherwise I had hopes of putting in the canoe and going out on the water to help guide the swimmers. But, we just rolled there on our bikes and watched from the 'shore.'

Dave Watterson was the last out of the water -- but -- he gave everyone a 20-minute head start. There was something a tad goofy about his registration and he did choose to swim the longer distance. And, he did the first loop in time to beat the cut off, so he keep his motor on and went around the loop again. When we got to see him swimming, I told Erik, that guy looks long and strong. I wondered why he was so far 'behind.' Well, that made sense.

Last year Dave did a swim on New York's Long Island Sound that was more than 4 miles. I remember as he drove away to that meet from antoher swim meet. He coaches in the south hills at Baldwin Aqua (a club) and Brentwood HS. Plus he is a swim official too. And, most of all, he is a dad of a kid about to enter 10th grade, like me. But his daughter isn't into the swims with the natural conditions -- just yet. But Dave joked about the January swim as he is also a fellow polar bear swimmer. We were together on the morning of January 1, jumping into the Mon! Oh the memories.

I was very happy to see the event unfold yesterday in the river without any problems.

Nice kisser

"Congratulations Paula Creamer"

[CLOH-News & waterpolo] Final Day & First Days -- invites to water polo at Pgh Peabody starting Monday

[CLOH-News & waterpolo] Final Day & First Days -- invites to water polo at Pgh Peabody starting Monday: "[CLOH-News & waterpolo] Final Day & First Days -- invites to water polo at Pgh Peabody starting Monday"

---

Hi All,

Best of luck for TODAY and TOMORROW in terms of sporting happenings.

Today is the last day of the US Women's Open in golf at Oakmont as
well as the final for the FIFA 2010 in football (soccer) in South
Africa. Plus, another event happens on Sunday in Pittsburgh in the
river -- with a first time masters open water swim. Best of luck to
all as those events conclude.

Tomorrow brings a fresh start to another event. Water polo. You are
invited to participate and play some water polo with us this summer.
If nothing else, help to get the word out to others so we have a
program full of players in the city.

Starting at 10:30 am on Monday, July 12, 2010, we're re-starting our
community water polo practices with play at Pittsburgh's Peabody High
School. We'll practice every week day, Monday through Friday, from
10:30 to noon from July 12 to at least August 13, 2010.

Pittsburgh Peabody High School is located on the corner of Highland
Ave and East Liberty Blvd, It has an indoor, 6 lane pool, so we'll
play rain or shine -- and even if it gets super hot again. After you
enter the school's front door, turn to the right in the first hallway
and walk past the gym to the swim pool doors.

This water polo invite is for a drop-in program that can fit within a
busy summer-time schedule. So, just come to practices when you can
make it. There is no need nor expectation to attend every day for the
next five weeks. A RSVP email to me, Mark at Rauterkus.com, is nice, but
not needed.

We played water polo last summer at a Citiparks pool in The Hill and
had 50 kids joining us on our peek day of practice attendance. Some of
the kids got to play a bit of water polo within the school year with a
team at Pgh Schenley and even the middle school kids at Pgh Obama
participated. But this is open to anyone, boys and girls, city
residents or not. Rookies should not be intimidated.

We've found that the die-hard swimmers are generally working out with
their swim teams, so those with modest swimming abilities should
attend. So don't fear these practices as there is both deep and
shallow water.

Water polo gives a great opportunity for summer fitness for all sorts
of athletes. Baseball players, soccer players and those seeking
conditioning for other fall and winter sports can jump in and get a
nice workout, make new friends and pick up skills in a fun, team
sport.

Getting some help at the clinics from some adults is welcomed as well,
either in the pool or managing subs and the score table.

Those in the Pgh Public Schools Summer Dreamers Camps, (grades 6, 7
and 8) and others with daily conflicts who won't be able to play in
the clinics at these times are encouraged to send me an email so I can
contact you again with updates to expand practice times in evenings,
weekends and later summer sessions.



--
Ta.


Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus at gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
412 298 3432 = cell


PS:

Thanks to Wireless Neighborhoods for help in hosting the water polo activities!

World Cup Travel Blog from a Pittsburgh soccer coach in South Africa:
http://www.wanderingfeffer.blogspot.com/

Volunteers at US Open mentioned Grant in a P-G article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10189/1071293-136.stm

Pittsburgh offers plenty of refreshing water havens during the summer months

Pittsburgh offers plenty of refreshing water havens during the summer months: "Pittsburgh offers plenty of refreshing water havens during the summer months"

I'd much rather see a functional swim pool. Perhaps with a bottom that moves up and down so it can be 3 foot deep or else ZERO inches deep. Then the bottom can be made to move up and then there would be no hope of anyone going swimming when the pool is closed. These could be places to teach our kids and others with special needs to swim. How nice would it be to have a swim pool that was geared to the Special Olympics. Or else, how about a swim pool to go to with your grandparents or else a venue where everyone in the city the age of seven can go and get free swim lessons.

Fw: Call your legislators NOW about transit funding

FWIW:

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: jon@jonrobison.org

Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:22:36 -0700

To: <amandel@msworld.org>; <alanpgh@aol.com>; <alanpgh@gmail.com>; <crawfordmcdonaldgreene.com@jonrobison.org>; <dstewart@gmail.com>; <khuwe@trcil.org>; <mosqueavenger@aol.com>; <amodeirm@stvinc.com>; <bmasona@gmail.com>; <JBauer103w@aol.com>; <pghdazzler@aol.com>; <Schneider@psc.edu>; <jjCA5933@aol.com>; <druppen@ucppittsburgh.org>; <dskillings@portauthority.org>; <mrainey@otma-pgh.org>; <jennahrebecca@yahoo.com>; <gavaler@pitt.edu>; <pshell@cs.cmu.edu>; <sherrygoldman@alumni.duq.edu>; <jenniferzami@juno.com>; <meemers@surfbest.net>; <kingmary@aol.com>; <donnadonna123@yahoo.com>; <smlt16@aol.com>; <emilystricker@hotmail.com>; <kproblem2003@yahoo.com>; <mark@Rauterkus.com>; <info@indypgh.org>; <patrick.altdorfer@verizon.net>; <rayrosenblum@hotmail.com>

Subject: Call your legislators NOW

Jonathan and Mary Robison 154 N. Bellefield Av.#66, Pittsburgh 15213  jon@jonrobison.org                                                                                            

Dear Friend,

          No, this is not our usual pre-election political newsletter.  It's an emergency appeal for action.

          As you may know, public transportation has a grave funding crisis.  The Port Authority of Allegheny County needs about $50 million to avoid another fare increase and major service cuts.  The Pennsylvania Legislature had planned to fund transit with a toll on Interstate 80, but the federal government disapproved.  As a result, the state is short about a half billion dollars to fix bridges and roads as well as for the state's 36 public transit systems, including PAT.  If we don't get about $50 million in new state money very soon,  PAT will be forced to eliminate about 30% of our transit service.  Neighborhoods will suffer.  Pittsburgh will suffer.  People will suffer.  The environment will suffer.

          Please join us in telling legislators why YOU and your neighbors need the bus or T.  Contact legislators at the Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA  17120.  For local office addresses and e-mails go to www.legis.state.pa.us or to the blue pages of your phone book.  Anyone who wants more details or wants to help can contact us.

          Why now?  The governor is calling a special session of the State Legislature for late July on transportation funding, now that we have a state budget.  That doesn't mean that he knows the solution or that they know the solution.  Over a dozen solutions have been suggested.  What is needed is for the legislative leadership to get together on a solution or a package, and enact it – this summer.

          Why can't PAT just trim costs?  PAT has already done that.

          Why your legislators?  Yes, they probably already support public transportation.  But a few calls will make them more assertive on this vital issue.

 

Please TELL LEGISLATORS WHY YOU NEED PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Please call YOUR State Senator and State Representative.

Please also call

   Joseph Markosek, Majority Chairman, House Transportation Committee  412-856-8284

   John Pippy, member, Senate Transportation Committee                            412-262-2260

Tell them why you and your neighbors need public transit

Please forward this message to all your friends – to your e-mail list.  We need to pass the word, especially outside Allegheny County.  Please contact us for any more information.  I, Jon, am president of the Allegheny County Transit Council, an all-volunteer organization representing PAT riders.

I urge you: please call your legislators.

Love and Peace,

Jonathan and Mary Robison

How to improve your golf game after watching the US Open at Oakmont

With the US Women's Open at Oakmont, near Pittsburgh, my boys (12 and 15) have been watching the play and working at the course selling programs a bit.

Erik's observation: He is now convinced that he'll make solid improvements to his game once he changes his golf wardrobe to include a sports bra and skirt.

If I was at Oakmont, I'd tail the women from Norway, Suzann Pettersen. I know how to swear in her native language as I've coached nearly ten swimmers from Norway. Then if she has a bad time of things, I'd know what she was saying.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzann_Pettersen

Fw: Pennsylvania state budget disappoints again

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Media-Relations@lppa.org

Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 15:33:40 -0500

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: Pennsylvania state budget disappoints again

Pennsylvania state budget disappoints again
 
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania calls budget "failure" and "fantasy"
 
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org
 
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2010
 
Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org
 
Harrisburg, PA - The state legislature keeps finding new ways to disappoint Pennsylvanians at budget time.  While our last budget was unconscionably late, this one is a mix of failure and fantasy.
 
This budget fails to cut spending at a time when our fiscal position is precarious.  General fund spending increased from $27.8 to over $28 billion while the state’s total operating budget jumps from $65.9 to $66.4 billion.  The budget ignores the past two years of revenue collection decreases that led to a general fund $1.2 billion gap last year and a $3 billion gap the year before.
 
The budget fails to cut pork and reintroduces "Walking Around Money" (WAM) reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review to be between $65 and $100 million.  In addition, it provides millions for the construction of the John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy and the Arlen Specter Library Project Center. It irresponsibly ignores both the coming public pension crisis that will require a $5 billion increase in annual payments in 2010 and the coming loss of federal stimulus funds in 2011-2012 fiscal year.
 
In June, The Commonwealth Foundation released “A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania” which identified opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-2011 budget.  Their report also offered a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on Pennsylvanians.  The budget failed to take advantage of these opportunities.
 
Instead, our state legislature fantasizes in their budget calculations that Pennsylvania will see a 3.2 percent increase in revenue collections at a time when unemployment is growing and business is receeding.  An even greater fantasy is that the budget calculation assumes $850 million in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funds that have yet to pass Congress. According to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, "No one, including the governor, thinks we'll receive $850 million."
 
Commented Brian Bergman, State House Candidate in the 119th district, “Yet again, Pennsylvania's government has failed to pass either a balanced budget or an on-time budget.  Where are the incentives to do either?  There is nothing currently in the PA Constitution or statutes that puts any penalty on the representatives in Harrisburg if they fail in their duties.  It's time to hold them accountable - vote them all out and elect new people that will truly work FOR the citizens of Pennsylvania and will enact consequences when the Legislature fails so completely in their duties.”

Mark Crowley, LPPa Media Relations, summarized “It's no surprise that this budget was created behind closed doors.  They suspended the rule requiring a public comment period.  The disappointing result certainly shows this lack of transparency.”
 
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.
 

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Steelers host youth football camp

Steelers host youth football camp: "The Pittsburgh Steelers will host a second youth football camps in the Pittsburgh area in July. The Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Football Camp will feature instruction from some of the best high school and youth coaches in the area, as well as current and former Steelers players.

The camp is $175 and is open for children between the ages of 6-14. They will participate in non-contact drills and skills sessions to win awards and prizes including autographed items. All campers will receive two tickets to a Steelers’ preseason game, a camp T-shirt, a one-year Steelers Kids Club membership, DVD highlights from the camp and other giveaway items.

The camp will be held at West Allegheny’s DeMichela Stadium on July 19-20. The camp can hold up to 200 players, and will run from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. each day."

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan acknowledges possibility of group not owning club - ESPN Dallas

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan acknowledges possibility of group not owning club - ESPN Dallas: "Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan acknowledged Thursday that his group, which includes Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg, might not end up owning the team. He added that he wasn't sure what he might do after this season should Houston businessman Jim Crane, who is trying to get back in the bidding, ends up owning the team."

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Good News section of Pittsburgh Public Schools has a pointer to the article in the Post-Gazette that mentioned Grant and Erik as volunteers for the US Women's Open at Oakmont.

Pittsburgh Public Schools: "District students amoung 2,900 volunteers at U.S. Women’s Open (Jul 8, 2010)