SI.com - More Sports - Sticker shock: Athens Games to cost $16 billion - Tuesday August 9, 2005 4:55PM The cost of the Athens Olympics is expected to rise to $16 billion, 18 percent higher that previously estimated.By the way, how much did the US Senior Games cost the city?
AOL Founder's Latest Lifestyle Choice: "AOL Founder's Latest Lifestyle Choice
Case Invests $20 Million in Firm That Markets Healthful Living
By Annys Shin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 9, 2005; Page D01
America Online Inc. founder Steve Case is investing $20 million in a producer and distributor of yoga and Pilates videos, part of his ongoing bet that activities once associated with a new-age lifestyle are going mainstream.
Case is going into business with Jirka Rysavy, chief executive of Gaiam Inc., who lives in a cabin outside Boulder, Colo., with no running water and an outhouse for a master bath. Rysavy said he and Case had 'an alignment in mission.'
A tourist walked down a pier and watched a fisherman pull in a large fish, measure it, and throw it back. He caught a second fish, smaller this time, measured it, and put it in his bucket. Oddly, all the large fish that he caught that measured ten inches or more he discarded. All fish smaller than ten inches he kept. Puzzled, the curious onlooker questioned, "Pardon me, but why do you keep the little ones and throw the big ones away?" The old fellow looked up and without blinking an eye said, "Why, because my frying pan measures only ten inches across!"
Foolish? Of course. But no more so than when you throw away the biggest ideas and the most beautiful dreams that come into your mind simply because your experience is too limited, your self-confidence too undeveloped to enable you to grab hold of the big opportunities God sends your way!
Start growing now. Think big. Big things happen to big-thinking people. Nothing big happens to little-thinking people.
Call for Papers are due September 15, 2005, via online at http://users.prof2000.pt/wia/oc.
Conference organizers: Webheads in Action Community of Practice.
Webheads is a world-wide, cross-cultural, and vibrant online-community of educators with an open enrollment. It was created in 1997-8 by Vance Stevens, in Abu Dhabi, Maggi Doty in Germany, and Michael Coghlan, in Australia, for ESL learners and facilitators as a student-teacher community. It has expanded to encompass a myriad of educators involved in e-learning in TESOL EVOnline (Electronic Village) and other language or cultural-based curricula.
Webheads meet online regularly to explore the latest synchronous and non-synchronous communications technologies, including video and voice, to adapt and demonstrate new innovative ideas for e-learning and classroom curriculum. These educators also display a deep warmth and dedication to helping others. They are evolutionary and enterprising scholars who are harmonious and know how to have a lot of fun. (About the convergence:
The conference is free of charge, and participation is open to all. Registration is via our conference Moodle: http://www.opensource.idv.tw/moodle/ . The conference will be held via whatever medium the presenter wishes to use (our hosts are contributing voice enabled online spaces to this event). Events can be synchronous or asynchronous. The more developed of the presentation writeups will be encouraged to join us in publishing a proceeds.
Proposals can be for events in just about any duration or format that can be mounted in the form of a presentation or collaborative event online. Interaction can be synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous presentations can be held in one of our voice-enabled presentation portals, or given as a webcast, or presented as streamed audio and/or video either as a presentation or panel discussion.
Asynchronous events might include bulletin board discussions, online poster sessions, perhaps integrated with a content management system, or whatever the presenter imagines might be effective. The topics can be pedagogical or technical, and can range from reports of research or practical work with students over the Internet, to descriptions or explorations of how interaction takes place over the Internet (technically or socially; e.g., how communities form to effect this interaction).
Pittsburgh Tuesday takes - PittsburghLIVE.com The Oak Hill debate: All one really has to know about Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy's latest scheme to dismiss it is this -- the public subsidy for Hizzhoner's plan to build 250 houses in Oak Hill would be, by one accounting, about $60,000 per home (including public infrastructure). But a competing University of Pittsburgh plan that would take the property off the tax rolls for a sports complex doesn't exactly shout 'best use!' There is another choice, of course -- private development through private financing that creates wealth instead of transferring it.
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, 3 to 4 p.m (ET)
WHERE: http://www.edweek-chat.org
This chat will focus on the environment of high school athletic events and will use as its jumping off point Maine's Sports Done Right initiative, a national model for creating a more positive athletic experience for young people.
As young athletes increasingly complain about unruly fans, overbearing coaches, and the pressure to perform (on the playing fields and in the classroom), Maine's initiative is designed to instill core principles and supporting practices to guide athletic experiences. The standards include promoting sportsmanship over a win-at-all-costs mentality; increasing opportunities for learning through sports; and holding parents and community members to higher standards and behavior.
The initiative is backed by a $397,000 federal Department of Education grant and has been endorsed by both the state's governor and commissioner of education. School and sports leaders from more than thirty states have requested copies of the initiatives seminal report, "Sports Done Right: A Call to Action on Behalf of Maine's Student Athletes."
As Director of the Maine Center for Sport and Coaching, Karen Brown is guiding the implementation of the Sports Done Right initiative and will be our special guest for the chat. In her role as director Ms. Brown also develops, inplements, and oversees professional development programs to improve the quality of coaching for Maine youth.
Join us for this discussion with Karen Brown. Submit your questions in advance.
No special equipment other than Internet access is needed for this chat. A complete transcript will be posted soon after the chat ends.
Thank goodness Pitt has a new football coach, the Pens have a new player (a first round draft pick no less), and my garage needs to be cleaned. None of those activities thrill me -- but all are much more desired than getting involved in the mayor's race, 2005, general election. Last night, I put together a short vlog (video blog) about tradition kente weaving in Ghana's Ashanti region. Kente, perhaps the most famous West African textile, is brightly colored, coming in a variety of patterns, some reserved for use by Ashanti royalty. The video was shot in the historic kente weaving village of Bonwire, about an hour south of Kumasi. Three weavers are featured, each using a traditional loom to make the cloth. The video also contains music performed by Ghanaian drummer Obo Addy, used with permission from Alula Records. There are two versions of the video: high resolution (13 megs) and low resolution (two megs).
High res video
Low res video
Production notes: The video was shot on July 23, 2005 in Bonwire village, Ashanti Region, Ghana, using a Konica-Minolta dImage A-200 digital camera. The Quicktime files shot on the camera were uploaded to a Macintosh G4 laptop and edited with Final Cut Pro HD 4.5. Both versions of the video were compressed using the 3ivx compression codec. Total editing time was about 90 minutes, including compression.
ACORN is starting a Low Income Civic Participation Drive/Fight to Raise the Minimum Wage!
Art for Justice Sake is a benefit art auction and music festival slated for 5 to 10 pm on Tuesday, August 16, at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, at Fifth and Shady Avenues.
Acoustic music by Mark Dignam, Jay Hitt, Lauren Demichiei from Lushwell, and the spoken word artist "phate."
Purchase art, listen to music, enjoy high tea refreshments, explore displays of local artwork, and tour of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts galleries.
: "24 Donaldson, Davi 20 Longhorn Aquatic 56.05 55.47T
r: 0.70 25.73 55.47 (29.74)
Swim-Off Required --
26 #Miller, Jason 21 Team Pittsburgh- 55.68 55.48T
r: 0.75 25.69 55.48 (29.79)
USA Swimming - Home: "USA Swimming is proud to announce that Bailey Weathers and Dan McCarthy have joined the organization as the first Sport Performance Consultants, a newly created position in the Field Services Department. In this role, Weathers and McCarthy will provide sport science and technical education and support to coaches and clubs with the goal of enhancing athlete performance.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05218/549656.stmThe old boss, Dr. John T, was able to improve student achievement. He did. Test scores were improving. But he's on the way out. The test scores were not the sticking point. It takes more than test scores to be a success.
Cyber activist Zhang Lin was sentenced to 5 years in prison for posting reports and essays on the Internet which "jeopardised national unity and territorial sovereignty, spread lies and disturbed public order and social stability." First jailed in January, Zhang’s sentence also includes the loss of his political rights for 4 years after his release.
Reporters Without Borders have already expressed their outrage at the ruling, saying "The Chinese judges were deaf to Zhang's plea of not guilty on the basis of the right to free expression because, in their view, expressing oneself on the Internet is a crime." Evidence used to convict Zhang included punk rock lyrics in one of his essays and an interview he gave to foreign news media. Zhang has 10 days to file his appeal.
Zhang Lin is another example of the Chinese government’s restrictive attitude toward the Internet. In April, journalist Shi Tao was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he provided an overseas Web site with a summary of an official document alerting journalists to possible social instability around the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown. Last month China also confirmed plans to establish "a long-term mechanism" monitoring internet cafes, which are visited by some 40 million people a day. Over the last couple of years China has closed thousands of net cafes amid fears that they can affect the "mental health of teenagers" while spreading "unhealthy online information".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/03 /china_internet
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3? id_article=14586
http://yuantown.blog- city.com/shi_tao.htm
Rep. Jeffrey Habay (R-Allegheny) would like to encourage area residents to visit the Commonwealth's historic Capitol, located in Harrisburg.
Guided tours of the Capitol last about 40 minutes and are offered every half hour, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Capitol is closed for tours on New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving.
Visitors can also explore the hands-on Welcome Center, which provides the opportunity to read, listen and interact with 18 colorful and informative exhibits. The center is located in the East Wing and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A gift shop is also available.
Many consider the Pennsylvania Capitol to be one of the most beautiful in the nation. At the building’s dedication ceremony in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt described Pennsylvania's Capitol as "the handsomest building I ever saw." Tours allow visitors to view the architecture and the collections of art and sculptures from the Italian Renaissance-style statehouse while exploring Pennsylvania government at work.
Due to the high demand for Capitol tours, it is important to schedule a tour as soon as possible in order secure a convenient time and date. Reservations are only necessary for groups of 10 or more; otherwise, visitors can join the tours at their convenience. Please note that the tour guide office does not require school approval of a field trip before a tour is scheduled.
Reservations can be made by calling Habay's district office at (412) 492-0270 or the tour office at (800) 868-7672. For more information about tours of the State Capitol, log onto www.legis.state.pa.us.
Rep. Jeffrey Habay
30th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(412) 492-0270
(717) 783-7426
www.JeffHabay.com
Contact: Erin Shay
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 705-2024
www.pahousegop.com
The Duel in the Pool is slated to be televised on NBC from 4-6 pm on Saturday, August 6 and from 1-2:30 pm on Sunday, August 7th.
Peter Alan Leighton
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
NAPA
Peter (Pete) Alan Leighton, 55, passed away on July 29, 2005 in Napa. He was born August 30, 1949 in Bronx, New York. In 1973, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Texas at El Paso. He was owner and partner of NorCal Aquatic Services, Inc. until 2000. He also was a swimming coach for many years in Texas, Cupertino and Stanford University. He most recently worked for Royal Coach Limousine Service.
Pete is survived by his life partner, Lezlie Riley of Napa; a sister and her husband, Marcie and Dave Cohen of Schertz, Texas; a niece, Allyson Cohen, and a nephew, Rich Cohen.
At Pete's request, no services will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Richard Pierce Funeral Service and Crematory, 1660 Silverado Trail, Napa. Friends may sign the guest book at www.rpfsc.com.
One reason for the tax revenue shortfall is that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) still owns the four parking garages within the SSW project’s footprint, rendering them tax exempt. The estimated loss of taxes from the tax exemption is calculated to be around $700,000. Presently, the URA is still waiting for private sector bids on the parking garages, but to date none have been made.
Tips go to: 412.323.7141
From: Celeste Taylor
Open Government Press Release-Home Stretch! Pittsburghers for Open Government
www.openpgh.org
Information + Public Participation = Power to Change Things!
Press Release
Wednesday-August 3, 2005
Contact: Celeste Taylor
PFOG Project Director
412-628-7867
celeste@openpgh.org
Pittsburghers for Open Government Petitioning In The Home Stretch
• PFOG President Dave Tessitor resigns from the Presidency of Pittsburghers
for Open Government and launches his campaign for Mayor.
Project Director Celeste Taylor is now the Acting President.
• Open Government petitioning that began six weeks ago now enters into the
home stretch with 70 active petitioners representing a very diverse and long
list of organizations talking to Pittsburghers about the Open Government
Amendment, collecting thousands of signatures and is now having their
petitions notarized.
• PFOG petitioners will team up with the League of Young Voters and Coro
Fellows this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to do petitioning at several events
and in Pittsburgh neighborhoods. ACORN will have its petitioners out this
weekend as well.
• On Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 10 am, PFOG Petitioners will provide a report
on the final numbers, and their petitioning experiences to City Council and
to the community.
• At the close of the petitioning period, Pittsburghers for Open Government
will continue with their work to ensure that Open Government becomes a
reality in Pittsburgh. Activities will include non- partisan Pittsburgh
public policy education and advocacy, voter education, voter registration,
voter verification and election protection.
Public Service Announcement -- Thank you to all of our partners especially the
Maurice Falk Fund and the Kingsley Association. Thanks to Pittsburgh for
Open Government Board members, coalition groups, petitioners and most
importantly, the thousands of citizens who signed the petition, believing in
the power of the people, and who want Open Government in Pittsburgh NOW! It
is time to wrap up petitioning in your communities so please, make sure you
have talked to all of your neighbors about the Open Government Amendment and
have your petitions NOTARIZED. Attend the City Council Meeting on Tuesday,
August 9th at 10 AM to share your Open Government petitioning experience.
You can drop your petitions off or mail them to Kingsley Association-6435
Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Contact Celeste Taylor at
412-628-7867 if you have questions or need help.
Amy Gahran posted to a jourrnalist site about Wikipedia as a Lead Source. A fellow journalist
criticized her decision to cite a Wikipedia as a rsource in a publication specifically intended to provide leads.
Many people doubt Wikipedia's credibility, but over time I've found it's proven to be a remarkably reliable and responsive repository of information. It's especially useful for following fast-moving or niche topics.
Of course, Wikipedia info, as with all sources, should never stand alone. Wikipedia's strength is as a source of leads, overviews, and basic definitions. It is a collaborative project. When searching for leads, it always helps to access a diverse base of perspectives.
Journalists find leads wherever, and then triple-check. Wikipedia offers credibility similar to a government official, advocacy group, and professional organization. Those sources are routine in reporting.
Wikipedia is an especially robust starting point for nearly any topical research project.
To the Editor:
As a high school student, I was inspired to take an interest in politics by the 1964 Presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater, and thus I must take issue with David Shribman's assertion that "the Republicans eventually embraced the Arizonan's creed." (Revolution of '64, PG, July 31) In fact, the administration of George W. Bush more resembles that of Lyndon Johnson than it does any hypothetical Goldwater administration.
First there is the spending. While Senator Goldwater advocated reduced spending, President Bush increased spending by 33 percent in his first term - more than any President since Lyndon Johnson. Senator Goldwater was an advocate of states' rights; he would have found appalling the Bush administration's attempted intervention in the Terri Schiavo case, and the Bush Justice Department's crack downs on medical marijuana and assisted suicide. Finally, Senator Goldwater was a firm supporter of the Bill of Rights, and would never have signed a bill such as the Patriot Act that violates our First and Fourth Amendment rights. These are only a few of the many ways in which Senator Goldwater was far more libertarian than these so-called conservatives of today.
Henry Haller
Education Law Center/PA School Reform Network is releasing two new reports containing data analysis and policy recommendations addressing achievement and opportunity gaps in Pennsylvania public schools. The reports and a related toolkit allow parents and community leaders to compare the status of their school district to other districts and to state averages. All of this will be a kick-off for our "Closing the Gaps Campaign" to intensify our school improvement efforts during the 2005-2006 school year.
A three page summary is attached to this email for your review. You may click on our web site at www.elc-pa.org and read the reports and toolkit in their entirety. On the left side of the home page, click on "Reports and Data about Achievement and Opportunity Gaps." When reviewing the reports, you may especially be interested in Appendices E and F of the Achievement Gap Report which show where your district ranks among others statewide. In this location you will also find a listing of districts that have made significant progress in closing achievement gaps among subgroups of students.
Crews working OT on renovations - PittsburghLIVE.com There should be no delay-of-game penalties at six Western Pennsylvania high school football stadiums this fall.
City leaders advised on slots gambling, its impact 'I am a gaming skeptic,' said Murphy, as he left an hour into Lendler's three-hour talk. 'I think it will have consequences to the city both positive and negative, and it's important to understand that now.'
Restricting eminent domain - PittsburghLIVE.com Two bills are awaiting action in Harrisburg -- and more legislation is in the works -- to protect property owners from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that allows governments to take private property in the name of economic development.
Rep. Tom Yewcic, D-Johnstown, introduced a pair of bills in the House that would bar governments from taking property from one private owner and giving it to another. Sen. Jeffrey Piccola of Dauphin County, a Republican gubernatorial hopeful, has a team of lawyers working on a bill for the Senate, as does Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park.
Ex-Murphy aide gets probation - PittsburghLIVE.com
A federal judge on Friday sentenced a former executive assistant in Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy's office to four years probation and 100 hours of community service on a federal money-laundering charge.
U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Chatiqua Good, 33, of the 1600 block of Buena Vista Street, Manchester.
Prosecutors said that from December 2002 to February 2003, Good conspired to launder drug money by buying real estate along Columbus Avenue in Manchester.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said the charge against Good was the result of a multiagency investigation into drug-trafficking on the North Side that eventually led to the seizure of multikilogram quantities of heroin. Good was fired as a result of the investigation.
PG: Ex-city aide gets probation
Ex-city aide gets probation A former neighborhood policy assistant for Mayor Tom Murphy was sentenced in U.S. District Court Thursday to four years' probation on federal money laundering charges, officials said.
Chatiqua Good, 33, of the 1600 block of Buena Vista Street on the North Side, pleaded guilty in September 2003 to helping a relative, Michael Keith Good, launder $70,000 in drug money from her desk in the City-County Building, said U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.
In taped conversations, she plotted with Michael Keith Good, who she called 'Uncle Mike,' to purchase a $70,000 apartment building on the North Side and place the deed in the name of another relative, so as not to raise suspicions about where he got the money.
Chatiqua Good also must perform 100 hours of community service.
Bassmaster Classic live discussion transcript Welcome to today's chat with Don Hopey on the ongoing Bassmaster's Classic. Don is here and starting to answer questions. Just a reminder that the questions go a moderator before the answers are sent to the room.
Shrink 'em, bounce 'em or sue 'em: "Thursday, July 28, 2005
By Brian O'Neill
Could it be that Pennsylvania's ruling caste has finally gone too far?
The backlash against America's Largest Full-Time State Legislature for its audacious midnight money grab is wide. But is the reaction to this 16 percent pay raise strong enough to last? Or will Pennsylvanians soon return to being the meek sheep we've always been?
League of Pissed Off Voters:�Smackdown 2005 Input: "SMACKDOWN 2005 Application
SMACKDOWN 2005 is a national conference for League organizers and trainers and our allies. The weekend will offer performances, inspiring speakers, beginning, intermediate and advanced level trainings in voter organizing, as well as time to scheme, strategize and build with some of the dopest young organizers del mundo. It will take place from August 4 - 7 on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA. Hotel accommodations will be provided for all participants. Everyone who wants to participate in the conference needs to fill out the application form below. The application deadline is July 14, 2005.
Centre Daily Times | 07/19/2005 | PSU's Keefe wins silver medal PSU's Keefe wins silver medal
From CDT staff reports
MONTREAL -- Penn State junior swimmer Margy Keefe captured second-place for the United States in the 5K Open Water Swimming race with a time of 55 minutes, 44.3 seconds.
Keefe came within 4.2 seconds of becoming Penn State's first world champion swimmer. She led at the halfway point and at the 4.5K mark, but she was eventually passed by Russia's Larisa Ilchenko, who successfully defended her world championship in the same event with a time of 55:40.1.
From the start, the Australian and German..."
WPLUG's 4th Annual Open Source Picnic is this Sunday August 7, 2005 from 1 pm to 6 pm. You and your family are welcome. If you've been around WPLUG for awhile or if you are a list lurker, you are more than welcome to join us.
The official WPLUG picnic website is http://www.wplug.org/picnic
It will have all the important links to all of the urls mentioned in this
email.
Directions
Looks of the park.
The reason why we call it "Open Source" because everyone who attends is to
contribute by bringing food, helping out, or organizing activities. It will be
as good as the community makes it! Like last year we will have burgers on the
grill, chips, potato salad, "not quite goulash." For fun we will have Chez Geek
and balloon critters.
All of this is made possible without utilizing WPLUG treasury funds due to
the generosity of the contributers listed on the meeting details page...
http://www.wplug.org/meetings/one-meeting?wp_meeting_id=3186
You too can help us out by making a contribution. Please consider the "Most
Needed" list as you make your pledge. We will be keeping track of the pledges
and what is still needed on the meeting details page...
http://www.wplug.org/meetings/one-meeting?wp_meeting_id=3186
We need everyone to RSVP by sending mail to picnic2005@wplug.org
Please consult the meeting details page to see if your name is there. If we
don't see your name then we do not know if you are coming or not!
The RSVP list will be updated on our meeting details page...
http://www.wplug.org/meetings/one-meeting?wp_meeting_id=3186
As you RSVP, please let us know how many people you are bringing and if you
have a special diet. This is a pot luck however some of us have
volunteered to make meat-free dishes if we have some vegetarians.
I can not emphasize enough that we need *you* to RSVP! At the rate of
$3.50/minute WPLUG treasury can not afford to consult psychic hot-line to find
out how many hot dogs buns we need to buy. Please consider the more economical
decision and drop a note to picnic2005@wplug.org Tux would RSVP so should you.
Hope to see you there!
Pittsburgh financial oversight agencies strike a deal A peace treaty between the City of Pittsburgh's fiscal overseers encourages the city to further cut its Fire Bureau.
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, created by the General Assembly, and the Act 47 recovery team, empowered by Gov. Ed Rendell, agreed yesterday that they would require the city to seriously consider new cost-cutting measures by January 2007.
Africa making waves in pool - PittsburghLIVE.com: "The move surprised U.S. men's coach Dave Salo.
'It's disappointing,' he said before Michael Phelps led the Americans to a relay victory. 'Our guys want to win the gold, but they want to win against the best.'
PSVN, PUMP, Venture Outdoors and the Coro Center (and a coalition of other organizations yet to be announced) invite you to celebrate Pittsburgh's success!I'm not sold on the fact that Pittsburgh IS kwel. And, I'm certain that being with a label that says "I'm kwel!" should be far from a top priority.
We know it is short notice, but join us anyhow!
Tomorrow, Thursday, July 28th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - brought to you by Bossa Nova, Pittsburgh's Cool Downtown Bar for Singles and Young Professionals (providing $1.00 off drinks and free chips and salsa!)
It's official! Pittsburgh is moving up in the world of best cities for singles and young professionals. As noted by the Post Gazette and the Pittsburgh Trib, Forbes has re-ranked Pittsburgh by moving us up 11 spots towards the top! We are being recognized for, among other things, our great nightlife and cultural opportunities!
This brings us to the other half, we got hammered on "Coolness" which we totally disagree with and know that the leaders of Pittsburgh's Business, Non-profit, Education and Political Institutions can do something about it for next year. So, in addition to celebrating we are inviting you to strategize with us on launching a city-wide campaign on how to get everyone else to realize what we already know, that Pittsburgh IS Cool.
We look forward to seeing you at Bossa Nova!
Poynter Online - By Way of Advice: Seven Style and Voice Tips Find a writing style partner.
'Don't give each other notes about whether your writing 'works,' whether your themes are valid, your characters believable, or even whether your voice is mellifluous. Those things are all important, and it's undoubtedly helpful to get feedback about them -- but when style is the issue, they change the subject. Instead, when looking at the other person's stuff, focus in on sentences, or phrases, or words. Where the writing seems tired or cliched, where the word used means something other than what was intended, where the phrasing is awkward, wordy or grammatically questionable, mark it, and suggest an alternative.'
Pre-Enactment: Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk & Community Planning Dialogue Saturday, August 6th, 2005 (August 13th rain date for Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk only)
Pre-Enactment is a two-part performance/dialogue event focusing on Braddock’s future. Braddock citizens, politicians, organization leaders, the media, and the general public are invited to spend the day with us, not to plan Braddock, but to help think about and advocate for Braddock’s future. Pre-Enactment is the public culmination of Looking for Braddock’s Fields, a project of the GroundZero Action Network.
1. Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk (9:30 am – 11:30 am)
Meet between 6th and 7th Streets in the parking lot on Woodlawn Street, parallel to Braddock Avenue and one block closer to the Monongahela River.
2. Community Planning Dialogue (12:30 pm – 3:00 pm)
Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library Street, Braddock .
To RSVP, or for more information, please contact: christine.brill@gmail.com or 412-443-4210.
1. Pre-Enactment: Mon-Fayette Expressway Walk
The first part of the event is about understanding and experiencing the impact of the proposed Mon-Fayette Expressway through Braddock. Participants will walk through the central part of the proposed right-of-way, while two groups of volunteers mark the edges of its directly impacted area with large banners. During the walk, the proposed highway design will be discussed, along with its impact on Braddock and the potential treatment of land/space along its path.
2. Pre-Enactment: Community Planning Dialogue
The second part of the event will take place at the Braddock Carnegie Library where a dialogue about Braddock’s future will be facilitated. A large-scale model of Braddock and surrounding hillsides will be the centerpiece for the discussion, illustrating the Borough’s existing physical conditions. A removable overlay will model the proposed expressway and its impact on the surrounding community. Braddock’s richly layered potential for change includes consideration of: the proposed highway, the re-emergent green spaces, the river, development forces, etc. The goal is to integrate ecological, cultural and social values into future plans for Braddock, and to help strengthen the community in the process.
Project Background
Looking for Braddock’s Fields is a project led by Christine Brill and Jonathan Kline of the GroundZero Action Network. The project began with a month long residency in June 2004 sponsored by the Monongahela Conference on Post-Industrial Community Development based at Carnegie Mellon University. We are working in Braddock as artists who have skills and expertise in architecture, urban design, planning and landscape ecology. We came to Braddock to look, listen and initiate a public conversation about Braddock’s past, present and future. Our project is not a plan or a proposal for Braddock; instead our work is about understanding and exploring Braddock’s potential through maps, models, pictures, and most importantly, conversations with its citizens. Our goal is to collaboratively expand the horizons for what Braddock can become.
Outcomes
The intended outcomes are increased awareness and discussion of the proposed highway design and the possibilities for Braddock’s future particularly along its riverfront. The dialogue will explore ways in which potentially incompatible visions can be reconciled. The results will be documented and distributed to key participants in Braddock to use as a tool for thinking about and advocating for the Borough’s future. An installation documenting the project will be exhibited in a show called Groundworks: Environmental Collaboration in Contemporary Art at the Regina Gouger Miller Gallery at Carnegie Mellon University from October 14 to November 11, 2005. The work will also be presented in an exhibition catalog and a two day symposium on October 15-16, 2005.
Saturday, September 10: Join Celebrating Diversity to share your Dream
for America in song, poetry, or just words. Bring and share international snack and finger foods, enough for 8 to 10 persons. Drinks/plates/silverware provided.
Southminister Presbyterian Church, 799 Washington Road, using entrance on Castle Shannon Blvd., 12:30pm. to 2:30pm.
Alternate activities planned for children.
To participate in the program and for setup purposes, please RSVP Elizabeth
at 412/344-2469.
Allegheny Land Trust gets second state grant To stir interest in the effort, the trust is planning a property previewfrom 6 p.m. to sunset Aug. 16. The public is invited to a section of the property on Magee Road for a hike and nature viewing.
Kraynyck said the trust hopes to acquire the property within the next six to 12 months.
Disability Pride Day
Disability Pride Day fund-raising award dinner and silent auction, July 27, 5:30 to 10 p.m. The Rivers Club, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Cost: $100
Three Rivers Center for Independent Living is holding its second Disability Pride Day Fundraising Dinner on July 27th at the Rivers Club at One Oxford Centre. The dinner commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enacted in 1990. This year TRCIL will recognize the recipient of the Disability Pride Award and will honor youth with disabilities as they transition into adulthood. The evening will be a celebration of all the work done by, and for, people with disabilities. Donations are currently being accepted for the silent auction.
Please contact Amana at (412) 371-7700 x175 or adaum@trcil.org for more information about the dinner.
Rally for Disability Pride, July 28, Courtyard of the Allegheny County Courthouse
12 – 1 p.m.
Speakers will discuss the power of youth with disabilities. There will also be a proclamation ceremony. All are invited to attend.
For more information, call 412-371-7700 or visit www.trcil.org
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
August 1, 4-8 pm at Canon-McMillan High School, Elm Street Extension
Canonsburg, PA
August 2, 4-8 pm at Finley Middle School
6023 Route 88, Finleyville, PA 15332
These public meetings are being held to present all the alternatives under consideration for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project, the impacts associated with each of the alternatives and to obtain input on the alternatives before the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation /Section 404 Permit Application for the Southern Beltway Transportation Project from Interstate 79 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway is completed.
Information regarding effects on historic and archaeological resources will also be provided. Right-of Way specialists will be available to answer any questions on property acquisition. Information received from the public will assist the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in evaluating the alternatives and will be considered in future development of the project.
For more information about this meeting or to arrange for the attendance of persons with disabilities, requiring special assistance, please contact: (724) 755-5261, (800) 585-2996 or via email at: lyackovi@paturnpike,com
It's down right pathetic that politicians from both parties conspired to give themselves an undeserved 16% pay raise when they've failed to tackle the major problems facing our state. The latest pay raise fiasco is an excellent example of the current mindset of both grand old parties..live large at the taxpayers expense.
Many people are extremely upset by these recent events and are at a loss as to what to do. I would suggest that if you want to send them a signal they won't soon forget, then change your voter registration to Libertarian. It's easy to pick up a voter registration form at any Drivers License Center or the local post office and use it to take a stand. Unless people abandon the old parties they will continue to think they have your vote in their hip pocket.
I made the change and it feels great to be part of the growing libertarian movement towards personal responsibility and constitutionally limited small government.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Goodman, Carlisle, PA
The sleaze capital - PittsburghLIVE.comHarrisburg is one of the sleaziest state capitals in the country,' said Jake Tapper, Washington correspondent for Salon, and that was before he saw the sleaze that oozed from under the closed doors of the state Legislature at 2 a.m. one recent night after the politicians voted themselves an illegal pay hike.
Lame-duck mayor says next 5 months to be 'very active'Murphy isn't slowing down
Perhaps because he's wielded so many ceremonial shovels, Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy took the lead at last week's groundbreaking ceremony for a new parking garage near PNC Park.
2 named to city police review board Mayor Tom Murphy has nominated Deborah Walker of Allentown and Mary Jo Guercio of Lincoln Place to four-year terms on the city's Citizen Police Review Board.
If the two are approved by City Council, the board will be at its full seven-member strength for the first time since 2002, said board Executive Director Elizabeth Pittinger.
Neighbors at odds over rules in city park: "Neighbors at odds over rules in city park
Westinghouse Park signs add to confusion over what is permitted
Monday, July 25, 2005
By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Playing football is not allowed in Westinghouse Park, but you'd never know that from the posted signs. They read, in part: 'Permit is required for sporting activities and organized sports.' That would imply you can get such a permit.
City has agreement with nonprofits on contributions The contract, currently under final review by the city solicitor, does not include a dollar amount that the nonprofit institutions would contribute.
Commonwealth Foundation : Research Library: ... Job creation, personal income and population growth continue to stagnate in Pennsylvania relative to the rest of the nation, the legislative “bonus checks” and pay hikes for governors and judges lack merit in the minds of most taxpaying citizens.
Exercising Faith by Dr. Robert Schuller
The core of Possibility Thinking is the mental activity we call "positive assuming." Even though the idea may have been unsuccessfully tried before, you should do the following:
• Assume that the times may have changed.
• Assume that nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.
• Assume that there are solutions to the problems that have defeated the dream before.
• Assume that there are solutions to the money problems.
• Assume that costs can be cut, revenue can be increased, or the project can be refinanced over a longer period of time.
• Assume that smarter people can be either hired or invited as partners to make this challenging idea possible.
• Assume that obstructionists can be bypassed, isolated, or invited to join as partners in prosperity in a new joint venture.
• Assume that instead of a collision you could form a coalition!
Now you're exercising what religious people call faith. Faith is sometimes spelled A-S-S-U-M-E.
SI.com - More Sports - China punctuates diving dominance at worlds - Sunday July 24, 2005 9:30PM Taylor has visited China and seen the country's diving programs.
'They've got a great system,' he said. 'They have everything you could possibly want -- good funding and good support.'
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