War on Drugs didn't work. War on drinking might fail too.

Being drunk isn't against the law. Being disorderly, destructive, and taking a leak is.

There is no holding cell for disorderly drunks -- as in youth curfew center.

Open containers are illegal and should not be tolerated.

All in all, downtown venue for drunken party is okay as it allows South Side to be slightly more human.

Marty G on KDKA Radio is ranting about the St. Pats Parade.

This sounds like a fun spring and summer project

Call for Entries: The BurghBot Project
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2009

Are you an artist interested in exploring new media? A roboticist looking to show off your creativity? If so, the BurghBot Project wants YOU! The Pittsburgh Technology Council and CREATE Lab are currently seeking artists and roboticists to participate in the 2009 Annual Art and Technology Exhibition.

DETAILS: The Community Robotics, Education and Technology Empowerment [CREATE] Lab of the CMU Robotics Institute will provide up to 10 artists with robotic media to serve as a foundation for robotic artwork -- to be juried and showcased during this year’s Art + Technology Exhibition at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s 15 Minutes Gallery.

SUBMISSIONS: No robotic or new media experience necessary.

MATERIALS: Selected artists will be notified and presented with their materials by April 15, 2009. All artwork must be completed and delivered to the Pittsburgh Technology Council for the exhibition opening on June 18, 2009. BurghBots will be showcased and for sale at the 15 Minutes Gallery, with a portion of proceeds returning to the artist.

ROBOTIC SPECIFICATIONS: Each artist will be supplied with a robotic framework [above] and a three hour instructional workshop. Robots are approximately 18”Hx 8”Wx 6”L. Artists may utilize any creative means to enhance the robots aesthetics or function, as long as no working parts are damaged or destroyed. Robotic frameworks remain property of CREATE Lab.

TO ENTER: To be considered as potential BurghBot artist, email your resume, brief artist statement and porfolio samples to kharvey@ pghtech.org by April 1, 2009.

CONTACT: Direct alll questions and submissions to:
Kim Chestney Harvey,
Creative Director, Art + Technology,
Pittsburgh Technology Council,
2000 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
kharvey@ pghtech.org

http://www.15minutesgallery.org

Win Makes 28 Straight for Stanford

Great props for a Pittsburgh guy, also a member of the JCC Sailfish, swimming his freshmen season at Stanford.

Win Makes 28 Straight for Stanford: "La Tourette downed Washington senior Scott Spansail (14:44.24), with Cardinal freshman Trevor Scheid and sophomore David Mosko coming in third and fourth respectively. The top four all met NCAA qualifying times.

Another first-year Cardinal, Bobby Bollier, won the 200-yard butterfly in 1:42.92. Arizona freshman AJ Tipton finished second in a time of 1:43.43, while Peter Davis of Cal was third.

'We have a great freshman class, maybe one of our best ever,' Kenney said. 'It's been one of the more fun years. They've brought a lot of energy.'

Where's My IRS tax refund?

Where's My Refund Home: "Your Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number);
Filing status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er))
The exact whole dollar amount of your refundYour Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number);
Filing status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er))
The exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

Pitt women edged out by Louisville, 69-63

Pitt women edged out by Louisville, 69-63: "top-ranked and unbeaten Huskies routed Villanova 72-42 in the other semifinal."

University of Michigan hosts Chatham University in women's water polo. Historic first tournament in Ann Arbor for Cougars.

Witness the University of Michigan womens water polo squad hosting the Chatham University Cougars in a historic first varsity tournament for the new varsity squad at the Pittsburgh based all-women's university.

The team traveled to Ann Arbor for the games against Michigan and Indiana University on Saturday, March 7, 2009.

This is the second quarter of the game. See two of the Chatham goals.



More game action is going to be put online soon.

Michigan's squad was playing its 19th game this season. The team had traveled to California twice and to the east coast once. They also hosted a prior tournament this season as well.

This was the first day of action for Chatham University in official varsity games. This season Chatham University expects to play 13 games.

Michigan has four players listed as goalies. None of the Michigan players are on the competitive swim team. Chatham's squad comes mostly from the DIII swim team with the athletes doing both swimming (fall and winter sport) and water polo (spring).

---

Other coverage: MGoBlue: "Mulder Picks Up CWPA Rookie of the Week Honor"

Mulder notched five steals against Washington & Jefferson to go with two assists in the second game before tallying a goal and an assist against Chatham. Humm. Chatham let her cool her jets.

MGoBlue: Water Polo Goes Perfect as Host of CWPA League Games: "The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan water polo team cruised to four double-digit victories, downing Grove City, 14-1, Washington & Jefferson, 20-2, Chatham, 19-2, and Penn State-Behrend,15-0, on Saturday (March 7) in CWPA Western Division league play at Canham Natatorium."

Franco Harris' son running for mayor of Pittsburgh

Wow.

Franco Harris' son running for mayor of Pittsburgh: "Franco Dok Harris, the 29-year-old son of Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris, announced plans today to run for mayor of Pittsburgh.

The Shadyside resident will not compete against Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and others in the May 19 Democratic primary, but rather as an independent in November. It will be his first run for office.

Summer School dates

Regional Extended Learning Camp dates: June 22, 2009 through July 17, 2009. (No camp on Friday July 3rd.)

Local Newspaper Files Petition in Supreme Court in Relation to Corruption

Corruption in PA looks like this.

Local Newspaper Files Petition in Supreme Court in Relation to Corruption: "Local Newspaper Files Petition in Supreme Court in Relation to Corruption

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- The owners of the Citizens Voice newspaper will file a petition in the state supreme court today claiming that suspended judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan have direct connections to jailed mobster William D'elia. It centers around a multi-million dollar judgment against the newspaper in a defamation lawsuit.

The citizens' voice newspaper is reporting that their lawyers will file a petition with the state supreme court to vacate and throw out a $3.5 million dollar defamation verdict issued by suspended judge Mark Ciavarella in June of 2006 following a non jury verdict, Ciavarella ruled in favor of a West Pitttston businessman, who claimed he was defamed in a series of special reports in 2001. Those reports came after federal agents raided his business as well as homes owned by D'elia and others.

The Pittsburgh Comet: Michael Lamb and the Public Square Project

Gentle as a lamb. Except, our landscape is less than white as snow, regardless of the salt mix.

The Pittsburgh Comet: Michael Lamb and the Public Square Project Michael Lamb and the Public Square Project

"Loosely tethered" = great description, sadly.

Too little and too late on many issues.

Crazy that Mr. Lamb does not control his own web pages.

Crazy that Mr. Lamb would release his audit to the authority boards -- if he tip-toes over to them -- before he shares it with the public. That's not transparent.

Campaign finance reform data that comes out late is worthless. The elections are already past.

The hurdle isn't the donors changing their names. The hurdle is the lack of accountability that he's sustaining.

Now ready to track city contracts by the end of the first quarter of this year.

Mike Lamb needs to hire outside folks when he should be doing it himself.

Did you ask him about the city controller candidates that ran the auto sales program? Did you ask him about the audit of the controller's office he wanted from outside vendors too?

Ken asks for thoughs on this reading list

Please read ANY ONE of the following prior to the Video Marathon for SWEATSHOP EDUCATORS. Contact Kenneth or Amy for copies of any of these.

Paying to Lose our Jobs, The National Labor Committee

Describes with primary resources the connections between trade and foreign policy. Anyone who ever pondered how the Human Rights of apparel industry workers is connected to the campaigns against US militarism, this one is for you.

Bangladesh: The Role of U.S. Universities and Student Solidarity, from National Labor Committee

An early attempt by the National Labor Committee to connect university communities with the people who sew their clothes. Bangladesh is SPECIAL, for so many reasons.

AFL-CIO Solidarity Center Guide for Conducting Workshops with Apparel Industry Workers

What do AFL-CIO Solidarity Center employees talk to workers about? How are these teaching techniques similar to those we use with workers in Pittsburgh or students in the classroom?

Workers Rights Consortium report on Multi-Fiber Expiration

The Multi Fiber Arrangement (1972-2003) was the mother of all the “Free Trade” agreements that proceeded it. It’s implementation created the global apparel industry we know today and its expiration began a new chapter of instability.

Workers Rights Consortium Annual Report for Affiliates

Are the 250 College and University affiliations with the Workers Rights Consortium having an impact? The disclosure and investigatory protocols that the WRC has established are not enough to make a dent.

The Jungle, Upton St Clair

The original piece of mucking raking journalism that uncovered terrible workers rights abuses.

David Zirin – What’s My Name Fool?

Or any other book by David Zirin. Read Zirin’s coverage of the 2006 All Star Game. This is the contemporary sports writer who gets the likes of Dennis Brutus and Roberto Clemente.

Any biography of Mohandas Ghandi

How are the life and ideas of Mohandas Ghandi connected to a contemporary global apparel union organizing drive?

Field of Schemes

What are we up against when we make demands on the Pittsburgh Pirates or try to leverage the people’s ownership of PNC Park to impact their licensing efforts? Why is it important for Pittsburgh’s future that require the Pittsburgh Pirates to honestly address our concerns about an issue so black and white as sweatshop apparel licensing?

Sporting Weekend and More Discussions Perking

I'm heading up a sports task force of sorts with Mark Conner with Pgh Public Schools. I'll be making phone calls on that front starting on Sunday. If this is an interest that is important to you, send me an email: Mark - at - Rauterkus - dot - com.

My questions are simple at first. I think we need to express ourselves as to the state of the OVERALL SPORTS and ATHLETICS in the PPS District. And, as to its OVERALL importance to the community, to the health and wellness of the participants and families, and the impact it can and should have on our school life.

You can send me your thoughts via email -- or -- just think on the topics and I'll talk to you on the phone.

I'm working on a lot of different aspects of this -- and have been for my entire professional career as a coach and volunteer.

Two extras:

Friday night at 6 pm the Fox Chapel Foxes visit Allderdice High School to play Schenley in a girls PIAA basketball game. That's tonight.

Saturday at 1:30 the Mt. Lebo Blue Devils visit Peabody to play the boys team of Allderdice in another PIAA hoops game. That's tomorrow -- as the Pitt vs. UConn game comes to a close (noon tip).

Meanwhile, I'll be on a bus with the women's water polo team from Chatham Univ this afternoon. We're going to play Univ. of Michigan at 9 am and then Indiana Univ Hoosiers in the afternoon. Go Chatham Cougars. This is the first year women's water polo is a varsity sport here. Wish me luck.

So, I won't hit the PIAA hoops games -- but I hope you and your family can attend.

I was at a breakfast business meeting in Mt. Lebo this AM and guy there told me that many in his community were 'scared shitless' (his words) about going to Peabody. Such a sad statement. Let's treat them well.

Funny or Not?

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

City teams tango w WPIAL squads. Allderdice boys regroup for PIAA playoffs

PG East: After City League title game loss, Allderdice boys regroup for PIAA playoffs Allderdice will face WPIAL runner-up Mt. Lebanon (21-5), a familiar opponent, in the PIAA first round Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Peabody. Knowing that a postseason run was possible with his team this year, McDonald scheduled a challenging out of league schedule of games, including a matchup against Mt. Lebanon. Allderdice defeated Mt. Lebanon, 42-40, Jan. 17, 2009.

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Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper hits touchy subject

What is going on here? Well, I don't really want to know. But the telling part is the six year delay. Pittsburgh is a smokey city, sadly.

Serving Time - Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper Of course, in most sex-abuse allegations there are rarely witnesses apart from the alleged victim and perpetrator. And while delays in criminal cases are 'the rule, rather than the exception,' says Tracey Provident, an associate director of the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime in East Liberty, a six-year delay is rare indeed. Hearing about it, Provident exclaims, 'Wow. We often prepare victims that their case won't go to trial for a year.' A half-dozen years of waiting 'is probably the far end of postponements.'

Mike F talks of this all the time. Here is his latest rant.

Parents and Education -- connections

In the Classroom Connecting with over- and under-involved parents
No matter how much an educator begs, some parents won’t get involved in the classroom; others are so-called “helicopter parents” who hover over their children constantly. Whether you’re faced with too much or too little from parents, it can sometimes be a struggle to develop positive relationships with family members in order to ensure student success.

Advice:

Call parents at the beginning of the year to introduce yourself.

Be clear about when and how it’s appropriate to contact you.

Call, e-mail or send notes home about your students’ positive accomplishments, not just negative happenings.

Send home student-generated newsletters regularly.

Maintain a class Web site.

Send home progress reports for all students.

Let parents know how they can help their children at home.

Publicize classroom volunteer opportunities on a special parent bulletin board.

Encouraging reluctant parents

McDonald says: “Informed parents equal empowered parents, which equal supportive parents; uninformed parents equal frustrated/helpless parents, which equal angry/defensive parents.”

Gateway girls devour Allderdice

Ouch.

Brown, Gateway girls devour Allderdice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Gateway built a 55-13 lead

View from the BurghChair: 14 to 8.3% -- City vs County

View from the BurghChair: "Fourteen percent of city births are from women under the age of 20 (post). This is compared to 8.3% in Allegheny County (post). Twenty -four percent of African American births in the city last year were to mothers under the age of 19 (post).

Landlords sue city to stop registrations

This is what folly looks like:

Landlords sue city to stop registrations The Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh sued the city of Pittsburgh today to try to overturn the rental registration ordinance that tells landlords to pay a $12-per-unit fee by April 1.

The association, which includes 185 landlords with properties in the city, according to the complaint, believes the law is unconstitutional, unenforceable and an illegal tax.

City council needs to be relevant, again, someday. City council can't get there doing what shouldn't be done. Rather, do what needs to be done. Do that well.

Don't talk to opponents after they file paperwork with the courts. Too late. Too little.

It is impossible to legislate morality -- and responsibility. Plus, these acts of over-reaching are not prudent for a city on the brink. The purpose of government needs to be respected before respect can be delivered by the force of government run a muck.