Breakfast meeting in Oakland with PA Board of Education - March 25 invite

PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM

“Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series” 

Thursday, March 25, 2010 - 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Holiday Inn Select - University Center - Oakland

FAX RESPONSE FORM - 717-260-9903

(No fax cover sheet required)

__________               I will attend the March 25, 2010 Forum discussing “An Update from the State Board of Education.”                                                                      

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________________________

Organization: __________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________    Fax: ____________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________

Seating Space is limited. 

Please confirm your attendance by returning this form via FAX to Mattie Robinson at The Education Policy and Leadership Center at 717-260-9903 as soon as possible.

The Education Policy and Leadership Center

EPLC

    Pittsburgh - March 25, 2010

PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM

“Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series” 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                            Date:                            Thursday, March 25, 2010

                            Place:                            Holiday Inn Select – University Center – Oakland

8:00 a.m.               Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.              Speaker:  Adam Schott
Executive Director
Pennsylvania State Board of Education

                                                        Subject: “An Update from the State Board of Education.” 

      

10:00 a.m.              Adjournment

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Adam Schott serves as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education which has the power and duty to review and adopt regulations that govern educational policies and principles and establish standards governing the educational programs of the Commonwealth, upon recommendation of its councils. The Board has 22 members, ten of whom serve as the Board’s Council of Basic Education and ten of whom serve on the Board’s Council of Higher Education.  Seventeen members are appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for overlapping terms of six years. Four members of the Board are members of the General Assembly.

Adam Schott has served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education since November 2009.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Schott served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education from March 2008 to October 2009.  He worked closely with the PA Department of Education’s communications and legislative offices to direct outreach and advocacy efforts in support of the administration’s high school graduation requirements initiative.

Mr. Schott served as Assistant Director of the Massachusetts Alliance for Education from 2007 to 2008.  Prior to that, he worked for several years in the Office of Government Relations in the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

Mr. Schott holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Penn State and a master’s degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard. He is a member of EPLC’s Education Policy Fellowship Program class of 2003-04.

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The School Finance Project of The Education Policy and Leadership Center is currently supported by generous grants from The Maurice Falk Foundation, Fulfilling the Dream Fund, and the William Penn Foundation.

The Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series of the Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum

is also supported by additional financial support from the following organizations:

 A+ Schools

Association of Pennsylvania State College and  University Faculties                                         

AFT Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators

Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units

Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators

Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools                                                   

Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Pennsylvania School Boards Association Pennsylvania State Education Association

Center for Educational Leadership - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Fred Rogers' ideas celebrated at conference, museum events

Fred Rogers' ideas celebrated at conference, museum events About 150 people are expected to attend the formal, invitation-only conference -- with the theme of 'Creative Curiosity, New Media and Learning' -- at the college on Monday and Tuesday.

My invite must have been lost in the mail. So sad.

Shady Side senior heads Classic Pennsylvania team

Shady Side senior heads Classic Pennsylvania team: "Shady Side Academy senior Matthew Cunningham is a big fan of the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic.
'I've been going to the classic for years,' said Cunningham, after receiving an invitation to wrestle on the Pennsylvania All-Stars. 'I always wanted to be a part of it. Now I will get that chance. It's a great way to end my high school career.'
Cunningham made his second appearance in the PIAA Class AA finals last week in Hershey, Pa., and won his first PIAA gold medal with a 2-1 decision against Lewisburg's Nathaniel Brown in the 171-pound final.

It is wonderful that wrestling, football and basketball have classic events for high school seniors just after their scholastic season ends. Too bad there is nothing like this for swimmers. It has always been a dream of mine to organize such an event.

Sure, the swimmers do get to go to sectionals and other club meets. That's for the top flight of swimmers. Many don't get to do that. Furthermore, the kids that swim in the PIAA Meet are not a real concern as their experience is impossible to beat. However, many don't get to do that -- and that isn't my concern either.

Stay tuned.

Erik dropped 4 seconds in his 500

Whew. Erik got another best time in the 500. He had a 4 second drop. Great experience for him.
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Fw: Google Alert - Rauterkus

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From: Google Alerts <googlealerts-noreply@google.com>

Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:52:44 +0000

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: Google Alert - Rauterkus

Google News Alert for: Rauterkus

PIAA swimming and diving results Stamford Advocate Erik Rauterkus, Schenley, 1:51.83; 32. Sean battle, North Allegheny, disqualified. 1. Nathaniel Savoy, West Lawn Wilson, 1:49.36; 2. ...

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1.51.83 best time

Yes.
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PIAA swim trip

Easy drive for us as we had AM swim at school and departed at 10 am.

Stop at PSU Creamery for lunch - ice cream really.

At hotel. Dice kids are with us now too. Kids are goofing around outside as the weather is super. Coach G is on a walk.

We check in at 5 pm and can swim at 6.
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Forbes Fund Confab

You are cordially invited.

The Forbes Funds' 2010 Annual Tropman Research Conference will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 Please Join Us!Thursday, April 8, 2010 from 1:30-5:30 pmWestin Convention Center, 1000 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222Please RSVP to info@forbesfunds.org (accepting RSVPs by e-mail only.)

Please note in your RSVP whether you are planning to attend a workshop and, if so, which one.

At this event, the results of our annual research studies will be released with a keynote and panel that will respond to the findings and we will highlight additional research and best practices through a series of workshops presented by nonprofit organizations.
1:30 – 1:45 Opening Remarks
1:50 – 3:00 Concurrent Workshops

1) Navigating through Turbulent Times - How nonprofits respond and adjust to their environment.The country, and in turn the nonprofit sector, finds itself in uncertain times that are creating unprecedented demands for services from the sector as a community safety net while posing new funding challenges as government, philanthropic, corporate and individual giving decreases or becomes more limited. It is clear that the nonprofits which survive are those that remain flexible and adaptive first to the clients they serve, second in the way they manage their balance sheet and finally in their ability to do more with limited resources and innovative partnerships. Through this study we seek to understand how a subgroup of the nonprofit sector (human service agencies) is adapting to their environments over time and to provide information that will allow the nonprofit community to remain competitive and relevant in a constantly changing environment.

2) Responding to Demographic Shifts - How the nonprofit sector is adjusting to employment needs and understanding the gaps.As the country prepares for the baby boomer generation's shift toward retirement age, how do we begin to understand the implications for the nonprofit sector and prepare for transition? The question poses challenges at the senior management level as we struggle to anticipate executive transition in the coming years. Similarly, understanding the importance and value placed on procedural fairness by the Gen X and Gen Y population will have significant implications for the workplace. This study is designed to clarify the demographics of our region and those employed in the nonprofit sector and provide information and recommendations that will enable agencies to anticipate and prepare their organizations.

3) Financial Strategies Pilot ProjectThe Financial Strategies Pilot Project was an in-depth, two year study of three unrelated nonprofit organizations that focused on three key concerns:a. How effectively each organization gathered, reported, and utilized financial information.b. Could improvements in the way the organizations gather, report, and utilize financial information positively influence the organization's ability to make management and financial decisions and, therefore, its financial position?c. Could a comprehensive financial assessment and coaching model be developed that would enable organizations to strengthen and sustain their financial viability? This presentation will highlight the conclusions reached from the Pilot Project.

3:10 – 3:40 KeynoteTim Delaney, President & CEO National Council of Nonprofits
3:40 – 4:25 Panel Discussion Moderated by Kevin Kearns, University of Pittsburgh,GSPIAAl Condeluci, UCP/ClassCarol DeVita, The Urban Institute
4:25 – 4:40 Closing Remarks
4:40– 5:30 Reception

Please RSVP to info@forbesfunds.org (accepting RSVPs by e-mail only.) Please note in your RSVP whether you are planning to attend a workshop and, if so, which one. Each workshop has limited capacity so please RSVP soon so that you can get your top choice.We hope you will join us for this special opportunity to explore emerging issues and cutting edge methodologies for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh.

PPS matters

FYI:

At last night's Public Hearing, there was unified, articulate, often impassioned testimony from about 15 people for the purpose of WAITING ONE YEAR before closing ROONEY and moving forward with reorganization of North Side Schools. There were also a few requests for rethinking Hill District decisions particularly the closing of VANN.

Two common themes in the testimony before the Board and Administration dealt with the following:

1) Improving education and creating quality schools in PPS as the way to stop flight from Pittsburgh Public Schools to other regions, charters, parochial, and private schools;

2) Soliciting input and listening to parent and community perspectives/solutions PRIOR to making decisions.

POINTS WELL TAKEN and certainly applicable across the district.


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3 lawyers debunk idea to give Pittsburgh garages to pension

Thud.

3 lawyers debunk idea to give Pittsburgh garages to pension: "3 lawyers debunk idea to give Pittsburgh garages to pension"

Meanwhile, my plan, the Mark Rauterkus plan for liquidation of parking assets, is still alive. My plan is legal. My plan is workable. My plan makes sense on many fronts.

Don't give something away yet leverage the maximum value.

Don't give away ownership yet retain public control.

Sell the garages.

By the way -- I say that the city should NOT sell nor lease the on-street parking assets. Those on-street meters and public parking spaces should NOT be owned by anyone other than the city.

I have advocated a sell off of the parking garages owned by the Parking Authority.

Councilman on the hunt for junked, abandoned cars in city

Councilman on the hunt for junked, abandoned cars in city: "Councilman on the hunt for junked, abandoned cars in city"

This is a great job for Mr. Kraus. This is his true calling.

Brain experts develop game plan for football concussions

Brain experts develop game plan for football concussions: "Brain experts develop game plan for football concussions"

Here is a plan. Quit. Or, better yet, don't start. Or, best of all -- SWIM!

The other kick in the head is in the sport of soccer. The rules of soccer need to be changed so that the kids are not allowed to hit the ball with the head. Stop that. Outlaw headers in all youth soccer now.

In football, it would be much better to bring back the leather helmets without any facemasks.

Wolves kill teacher in Alaska - latimes.com

So sad.

Candice Berner, a special education teacher who traveled among several rural schools on the Alaska Peninsula, 475 miles southwest of Anchorage, was attacked while jogging and listening to her iPod Monday evening on the deserted, 3-mile-long road that leads out from the village to its small airstrip.

Wolves kill teacher in Alaska - latimes.comA native of Slippery Rock, Pa., she had been working in Alaska only since August. Her body was found by snowmobilers a short time after the attack. It had been dragged off the road and partially eaten, and was surrounded by wolf prints.

RIP.

Liu makes celebrated, but cautious return - Universal Sports#liu%20returns%20more%20hurdles%20await#liu%20returns%20more%20hurdles%20await#liu%20returns%20more%20hurdles%20await

Welcome back!

Liu makes celebrated, but cautious return - Universal Sports#liu%20returns%20more%20hurdles%20await#liu%20returns%20more%20hurdles%20await#liu%20returns%20more%20hurdles%20await The only thing that mattered Friday night was that the 2004 Olympic gold medalist and reigning world indoor champion was finally back to running before a global audience.

Are you ready to PARTY? South Side is gearing up as it is nearly Pi DAY!

From hex

The public works crews have already put up the white baracades on the South Side on the side of the road at key intersections.

We are getting ready for Pi Day! -- March 14 -- 3.14 -- Einstein's Birthday.

Nerds gone wild!

3-pointers in 3-D may be coming to theater near you

From Chatham-Polo

I saw the 2008 Olympics in Bejing in 3-D.

3-pointers in 3-D may be coming to theater near youThe NCAA announced that it would show the semifinal and national championship games in 3-D in movie theaters nationwide.

This isn't that new. If you want to see a basketball game in 3-D, just go to the games.

From Mark Rauterkus

Another fun way to watch TV at a sports event -- at a CURLING CENTER!

2010 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN TO OFFER NEW UPGRADED DAILY TICKET OPTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oakmont, Pa. (March 12, 2010) – The 65th U.S. Women’s Open, to be held July 5-11, 2010 at Oakmont Country Club, will offer a new ticket option beginning this weekend. The new upgraded daily ticket option will be released at the Greater Pittsburgh Golf Show, which runs this weekend, Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 14 at the Monroeville Convention Center.

The new ticket option, individual daily Trophy Club tickets, will be priced at $30 per day for Practice Rounds and $65 per day for the Championship Rounds Trophy Club tickets.

The Trophy Club ticket is an upgraded ticket that provides spectators with grounds access to the championship as well as access into the exclusive and upgraded Trophy Club located on the golf course. This climate-controlled venue includes amenities such as television monitors, computer scoring terminals and telephone access for Trophy Club guests to use. Guests may purchase upscale food and beverages within the Trophy Club.

A variety of other ticket options are also still available, including $20 practice-round tickets, $45 championship-round tickets and group ticket packages.

Tickets to the championship are available online at www.2010uswomensopen.com or by calling (877) 281-OPEN. Kids 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Each ticketed adult can bring up to nine (9) kids.

Visit the U.S. Women’s Open booth (#203) at the Greater Pittsburgh Golf Show this weekend. Golf Show visitors can enter a drawing for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The contest winner will receive two (2) weeklong Trophy Club tickets, week-long VIP parking, a $50 gift card to the merchandise tent and a round of golf in the Championship Invitational. The Championship Invitational will be played at historic Oakmont Country Club on Monday, July 12, 2010 and will be played from the final-round tees and hole locations.

Also at the Greater Pittsburgh Golf Show, World Golf Hall of Fame Member and Women’s Open General Chairman, Carol Semple Thompson, will be live on air at 10:20 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio 970AM– The Golf Show With Gerry Dulac on Saturday, March 13. She will also be at the Women’s Open booth from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. WTAE-TV Anchor Sally Wiggin will be at the Women’s Open booth on Saturday, March 13, from noon until 1 p.m.

About the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open
The 2010 U.S. Women’s Open will bring a field of 156 of the world’s best professional and amateur women golfers to Oakmont Country Club. It will be the second time the Women’s Open will be contested at Oakmont. Patty Sheehan won the 1992 championship in a playoff over Juli Inkster after finishing at 4 under par for 72 holes of regulation play.

About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico. The Association’s most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to successful programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

Contact:
Lindsay Weber – 2010 U.S. Women’s Open – lweber@2010uswomensopen.com - (412) 828-2010

Bob L's True and False quiz and my reactions

1. True or False: Over the past 50 years Pennsylvania lost nearly 1/3rd of its seats in the US Congress to faster growing states and is losing clout at the federal level.

True. But, I'm a tad more worried about the federal government growing it overall clout and less concerned with the share of clout that is for any one state. Smaller states have 'clout.' The number of seats in the US Senate does not change even if everyone moves out of the state.

2. True or False: Pennsylvania has an aging population because the state keeps losing our young people to other states; our retirees also leave, often because they can no longer afford Pennsylvania's school, county and municipal property taxes.
Part of the aging population problem is that senior citizens don't make many babies. And, another part of the problem is that we don't have lots of incoming imigrants. The lack of immigration into our neighborhoods might be a problem for some and a blessing for others.

We do have a problem with the retirees in that we don't make it easy for them to relocate. Many senior citizens are stuck in their present homes that served them well when they had a house full of kids. Seniors should have a much easier time being able to downsize. One of the big sticking points to keep people from moving to either larger or smaller living quarters is the deed transfer tax. Pay that a few times in each decade and lots of personal wealth vanishes.

3. True or False: Abolishing all three property taxes--school, county and municipal-- on primary residences would make Pennsylvania more attractive for young families to establish their homes here, and more attractive for retirees to move here or remain here.

This is STOP's (Bob Lowes) main mission, the elimination of all property taxes.

The attraction for home owners is obvious. But, that means a shift has to occur to income taxes and sales taxes and VAT taxes (on manufactured goods and services). Those other taxes are going to make the attraction ugly.

As a Geo-Libertarian, I rather like to tax real property and land so as to keep government small and accountable with local control.

4. True or False: Increasing our population would result in more new businesses, more customers for existing businesses and more jobs. Also an enlarged worker pool.

Increasing population means strains on schools too. If thousands move out of McKeesport and into Pine Richland, then the local money for local schools would have a balance.

5. True or False: Current homeowners would be more likely to improve their current homes if those improvements would NOT mean higher assessments and higher property taxes. And in investing in upgrading their homes would generate a sizable volume of economic activity.

Current homeowners are penalized greatly when they get building permits and do home fix ups. This is exactly what should NOT happen. The tax policy is messed up, for sure.

Present tax policies reward those for messing up their buildings. Hey, I've got a bad sidewalk, porch is falling down, a new roof is needed and the paint is peeling = lower taxes.

The solution I think makes more sense is to tax only the LAND and not the building. A land value tax means that those who let their property trun to blight pay the same as the neighbor on the same size plot of land in the same neighborhood who fixes up the house into a palace.

6. True or False: More individuals and families, including women and minority citizens, could afford to buy homes if there were no real estate (property taxes) on primary residences and no property tax escrow payments as part of a mortgage.

Well, the big hit is in the deed transfer tax. Annual property taxes are large, no doubt. However, to pony up an extra 5% at the time of closing for the deed transfer tax takes money out of the pocket for those who save up and try to make a downpayment.

Once there was no real estate taxes and no property taxes then there will be a lot of landlords that are able to land-bank properties. If grandma passes and the house sits vacant for 1 to 5 to 15 years -- who cares. No big deal. Don't turn the house to others who would like a good place to live.

Big developers would really make out and become rich in short time once there is no property tax on their holdings.

Apartment rents will go much higher too. Generally there could be a one house per one citizen property tax exemption. But that would not apply to an apartment building full of renters. Rents for young people would increase greatly. Same too for seniors.

7. True or False: The 8 Billion dollars currently held in Pennsylvania NON-interest-bearing, property tax escrow accounts as part of most mortgage obligations, would generate more economic activity and jobs if tax escrow accounts weren't required and instead the money was injected annually into the Pennsylvania economy.

Why not allow the property tax escrow account be interest bearing?

Lots of other tax shelters are hatched up for those with lawyers and accountants and money so as to not part with it to the government. And, the rich get richer. It is hard, if not impossible, to hide land. Taxing land is easy and fair as it can't be hidden. Cheating is harder if the tax is on land as opposed to income, transactions, or services rendered.

8. True or False: All this economic activity including more jobs occurring via the abolishment all property taxes on primary residences would generate additional tax revenue from EXISTING state income, local earned income, sales and use, mercantile, gasoline and other currently collected taxes.

The economic boom is suspect. When a tax shift occurs, it is generally good for some and bad for others.

9. True or False: Deteriorating tax bases in many of our city, suburban and rural communities would begin to be reversed with this increased economic activity described above meaning more services and a better quality of life.

10. True or False: Collecting 100% of the base year assessed valuation taxes (the year the law is passed) plus annual cost of living escalators, and continuing to receive property taxes from a growing commercial and industrial sector, would generate more net revenue than the current costly-to-collect-and-enforce, corrupt property tax system--from which taxing bodies collect only from 70 to 90% of what is billed.

11. True or False: Fewer properties would be abandoned.

12. True or False: Since 3/4ths to 4/5ths of all properties in the state would no longer be assessed or reassessed, the savings to counties (and ultimately the taxpayers) would run into the tens of millions of dollars each year. The size and cost of government would be cut, and homeowners would no longer be required to fight to protect their homes from inaccurate property assessments and excessive property taxes.

Summary: Pennsylvania's economy and that of many of her counties, school districts and municipalities needs a major boost. A proven, fiscally-viable plan that cuts the size of government, boosts the economy, revives our municipalities and counties, generates more net tax revenue, creates thousands of private sector jobs, and makes our state much more attractive for individuals and families to want to live in without any added bureaucracy...deserves discussion and hearings.

Why are our legislators afraid of this plan? Why won't they even allow it to be discussed in committee...or presented at hearings? Ask them to be specific with the responses. Their silence so far has been deafening. --Bob Logue, STOP Primary residence protection plan. Learn more at http://www.undercoverclub.net hit on the STOP page. www.grandoldusa.com My e-mail is ucblogue@verizon.net My mailing address is Bob Logue, Box 306, Fairbank, PA 15435-0306

Prototype $200 Tablet Runs Android, Chromium OS, Linux - PCWorld

Prototype $200 Tablet Runs Android, Chromium OS, Linux - PCWorld $200 tablet PCs have been something of a pipe dream. There was the Crunchpad, which was supposed to be $200, but that didn’t last very long, coming out as the $400 Joo Joo. If what Freescale showed off at Mobile World Congress becomes reality, though, the dream may finally come true.

Perhaps I should go back into the workforce and be a programmer and market applications for sports and fitness applications that run on phones and tablets.

Post-Gazette Varsity Notebook: Schenley Makes a splash.

In today's P-G.

Varisty Notebook: Mt. Lebanon's 2 teams magnets for crowds at Palumbo: Schenley makes a splash
When Schenley won the City League boys' swimming championship Saturday, it marked the first time since 1998 that Allderdice did not win the title. Twelve years ago, Brashear won the title. Allderdice was second this year.
For a school that will be around for only one more year, Schenley is enjoying plenty of success. In the fall, Schenley won City League football, girls' soccer and boys' soccer championships.
Schenley was led by freshman Erik Rauterkus, who won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events, and also was on two winning relay teams.
Another freshman was a standout in the girls' City League meet. Allderdice's Leah Furman won the 200 and 500 freestyle events and was a member of two championship relay teams.

Both Erik and Leah are swimmers with the JCC Sailfish and both played water polo last year. And, both are going to the PIAA Meet (High School States) next week.
The girls relays from Dice also established new city records.

Note: Check out Preserve Pgh Summit

April 10.

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After School Programs - Next Steps and Upcoming Regional Meetings

My one word reaction is FINALLY.

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From: "Superintendent Office" <superintendentoffice@pghboe.net>

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:14:02 -0500

To: undisclosed-recipients:;<Invalid address>

Subject: PPS and After School Programs - Next Steps and Upcoming Regional Meetings

Dear After School Provider:

 

Since I arrived in Pittsburgh over four years ago, I have continued to be struck by Pittsburgh’s community-wide commitment to after school.  I was pleased, but I was not surprised, that over 90 people in the after school community attended the meeting, “Working Together: How Pittsburgh Public Schools & After School Programs Can Support Children on The Pathway to the Promise”™ last fall at the administration building. It is clear to me that Pittsburgh’s community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, intermediary organizations and foundations already understand what national research has confirmed – at-risk, urban children must be engaged in high-quality activities during out-of-school hours, including after school and summer, in order to advance student achievement for all students.

 

But Pittsburgh Public Schools and the after school community have a lot of work to do maximize and measure the benefits of after school. With the goal of becoming the first urban district to educate the vast majority of its students for post-secondary education and the gift of The Pittsburgh Promise®, it is time to come together to build an effective city-wide after school network that is carefully designed to meet the complex needs of students. Our vision is for all students to have the opportunity to engage in high-quality after school programs that support their academics, expand their interests and are exciting and fun. We believe that after school programs have an important role in helping students become “Promise-Ready” (a phrase that is becoming embedded in the Pittsburgh Public Schools to ensure that students have planned and prepared for post-secondary education). 

 

Let’s be clear – this is not an easy task.  There are many questions, basic and complex, that need to be answered by Pittsburgh Public Schools and the after school community. How many children are enrolled in programs? What programs are effective and why? How can services be targeted to meet the individual needs of students? How can in-school and out-of-school gains be leveraged and measured?  How can the Pittsburgh Promise and the importance of college be communicated deeply to children and parents?  How can the after school community unite on common issues, goals and outcomes?  It is important that we answer these questions together and establish customized standards and metrics for after school partnerships that share accountability and that are based on need, quality and results. 

 

In order to start to answer these questions, PPS is creating a centralized process for community-based and faith-based after school programs to partner with Pittsburgh Public Schools starting in School Year 2010-2011.  Programs that operate in PPS buildings will be required to apply and programs that operate at their own sites are encouraged to apply.  We want and need your input on the design.

 

Holly O’Donnell, After School Manager, is hosting four regional meetings and we encourage you or a member of your staff to attend one of them. 

 

The information for the meetings is below:

 

Wednesday, March 17^th, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.–       East Minster Presbyterian Church

 250 N. Highland Avenue, 15206

 

Tuesday, March 23^rd, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. –         The Northshore Community Alliance

                                                                                     1439 N. Franklin Street, 15233

 

Wednesday, March 24^th, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. –   The Hill House (main facility)

                                                                                    1835 Centre Avenue, 15219

 

Friday, March 26^th, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. –           Brashear Association

             2005 Sarah Street, 15203

 

* Please R.S.V.P to Holly at hodonnell1@pghboe.net or 412-622-3926 * 

 

We appreciate the unique role of after school programs in the lives of PPS children and we ask you to join with our District to Dream Big and Work Hard and to do whatever it takes to achieve our mission of preparing all children for academic excellence and strength of character, so that they have the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Mark Roosevelt

Superintendent

 

TravelMole Web Innovation Awards - Asia/Pacific 2010

Sponsorship opportunities now available!

TravelMole's 2010 Web Innovation Awards - Asia/Pacific 2010 for the travel and tourism industry in Asia Pacific are back - and they're bigger than ever.

Competition this year is tough as the industry's best vie for these prestigious awards, last held in 2008.

Winners of the awards will be announced at The EyeforTravel Distribution Summit Asia 2010- Asia's largest annual online travel event - at The Marina Mandarin Singapore on April 28-29.

Limited sponsorship opportunities are available for each of the awards listed below.

This is your chance to get behind the online travel industry and be recognised by your peers. TravelMole Asia Pacific will also recognise all sponsors on our online travel newswires and email broadcast promotions related to nomination, shortlist and winners' awards.
In addition, all sponsors will be recognised at the EyeforTravel Distribution Summit on April 28-29.
The full list of award categories available for sponsorship is:

Best Use of Social Media
Travel Start-up of the year
Most Creative Marketing Campaign
Best Ancillary Revenue Strategy
Most exciting new technology in travel
Travel Innovator of the year
Most Effective use of Mobile Media
Most Innovative Use of Video
WEB 2.0 Mash up
Best Website Design

The Award winners will be showcased to an expected audience of more than 1,000 travel technology leaders, who are attending the EyeforTravel Travel Distribution Asia conference.
A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are available and for those that are interested in maximising exposure to the TravelMole readership around the globe, email sales_asia (at) TravelMole.com; complete our inquiry form; or contact our area sales manager.

Charles Kao, Group Chairman and Publisher, TravelMole Media Group

Fw: Public Input Hearing to Consider Permitting Table Games at The MeadowsRacetrack and Casino Scheduled For March 30th

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: "Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board" <pgcb@state.pa.us>

Date: 9 Mar 2010 17:18:25 -0500

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: Public Input Hearing to Consider Permitting Table Games at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Scheduled For March 30th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA March 9, 2010 Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board P.O. Box 69060 Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060 CONTACT     Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey (717) 346-8321   Public Input Hearing to Consider Permitting Table Games at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino Scheduled For March 30th HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it would hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 to gather evidence, including public comment, on the petition submitted by Washington Trotting Association, Inc., operator of The Meadows Race Track and Casino in Washington County, requesting authorization to conduct table games. The hearing will begin at 10:00 am in the Courthouse Square Office Building, Public Meeting Room 104, 100 W. Beau Street in Washington, Pennsylvania. (continue reading) www.pgcb.state.pa.us

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'Invisible cover' being used at Norwich swimming pool - EveningNews24

Perhaps a pool like this could be built on the South Side?

'Invisible cover' being used at Norwich swimming pool - EveningNews24: "A liquid based cover is always present in the water and when there is no movement in the pool, the molecules race to the top, making an invisible barrier which holds the heat in."

Rand Paul Money Bomb due on March 23, writes Ron Paul

Dear Supporter,
My son Rand is taking on the Establishment in an epic fight to represent Kentucky in the United States Senate.
And, he is winning!
The DC insiders have tried to stack the deck for his career politician opponent. They have held inside-the-beltway, thousand dollar a plate fundraisers and lined up support from Senators who voted for the TARP Funds and Bank Bailouts. They have viciously attacked him and lied about his positions. They have even organized dirty push polling calls against Rand, a tactic that is underhanded at best, and in many cases, illegal.
But with your help, Rand has fought back. On August 20, you helped Rand raise $440,000 online in one day. This tremendous show of support shot Rand up in the polls and showed he was a force to be reckoned with. On December 16, the grassroots once again came together to raise $250,000 for Rand on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. You propelled Rand into the lead!
The most recent poll shows Rand up 15 points. He is running a tremendous campaign and has a plan that will win his primary, which is just 70 short days away. But, he needs your help now more than ever!
On Tuesday, March 23, the anniversary of Founding Father Patrick Henry's famous speech, "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death," the grassroots will throw another Money Bomb. Your generous support on March 23 is crucial. A strong showing of $500,000 will fully fund Rand's campaign plan and allow him to do all of the radio, television, mail and voter contact it will take to ensure victory down the stretch.
Your support will be the knock-out shot against the career politicians who are running our country into the ground. We have a chance to elect the strongest Constitutional Conservative and defender of Liberty the United States Senate has seen in a generation. But we need to stand together on March 23.
I hope you will join us on Tuesday, March 23 as we push Rand to victory. Please visit www.RandPaul2010.com for more information or to make your contribution.
In Liberty,

Ron Paul

Beaver County Times: The DeJuan Blair Project

Beaver County Times: The DeJuan Blair Project “I haven’t coached him a lick. I don’t know what moves he has. I don’t know how he gets it done. I just throw him out there and he plays his (butt) off.”

BMX kills trees! OMG.

Last night I attened a meeting with the South Side Slopes Association and heard a series of lies such as, "BMX kills trees." The meeting was concerning the South Side Park -- a dead space of sorts. It is home to the city's other condemded indoor ice rink.

I learned a little and shook my head a lot.

Bottom line, Bruce Kraus went way out on a limb and said he'd promise to tear down the now hazzard building that once was an ice rink on the South Side. That's progressive leadership. Weee! But, the G-20 protestors might get there first and fix it so the city demo crew has to rush, rush, rush.

With tin snips and a hammer and some duck tape, the scraps from the medal building could be put to a green re-use so as to be the shell of a bob sled and luge course that cuts through the 65 acres vertical drop site.

Weekly Art Camps for summer

Summer Art Camps open house Sat, Mar 13.

Art Camps at PCA have inspired, challenged, and nurtured young artists for over 30 years. This summer, we are happy to provide your family with the opportunity to journey around the world together with art as your guide, stretching your imaginations, shifting your perspectives, and broadening your horizons.

Click to view the Facebook event and RSVP.

ART CAMPS OPEN HOUSE is Saturday March 13, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Family-friendly, free art activities, tours, and meet the Saturday Light Brigade radio show, broadcasting live from the PCA School. Get a discount for registering with us that day.

Sign up for just the weeks you want. Our online registration system has just been completely revamped and improved, or call today.
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts School

1047 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh 15232 / 412-361-0455

Man whose kiss caused airport security scare pleads guilty - CNN.com

So, is this one for enforcement by the FASHION POLICE?

Man whose kiss caused airport security scare pleads guilty - CNN.com: "a charge that is a 'petty disorderly persons offense ... it's below a crime, it's not even considered a crime in New Jersey,' his lawyer"

Humm. There are below crime sins. It is interesting to watch how you gotta behave and how and when government comes into the picture. I'm all for good behavior and being polite. Don't spit, pick your nose nor fart out loud. All have public health ramifications. Don't put up outdoor Christmas lights in certain planned neighborhoods, nor fail to shovel your sidewalk in others. Parking a car on the corner or near a fire plug gets you a ticket or tow too. Watch out for the petty disorderly persons offense list, especially if it includes a public display of affection and most notable if behind airport security before TSA badges.

City Brief: Council Flirts With Central Planning, Pressures Aramark On Concession Jobs : Publius Awakened

Golly. This is what was expected and he is delivering.

City Brief: Council Flirts With Central Planning, Pressures Aramark On Concession Jobs : Publius Awakened: "City Council intervened today with a letter – written by Bruce Kraus and reprinted at City Paper’s Slag Heap – that reads like a Leftist’s guide to overreaching a local government’s authority and meddling in business decisions to score political points."

City Swim Championships - some races via my video camera

Boys 200 Free. Schenley goes 1-2 with Erik and Than.



Girls 200 Free Relay.



Boys 200 Free Relay, where Dice wins by .01.



Girls Backstroke: A part of Sophie's race.

College insider: Funk just misses out on berth in NCAAs

College insider: Funk just misses out on berth in NCAAs Lauren Funk was obviously disappointed about not qualifying for the NCAA Division I swimming championships.
But the Kenton Ridge High School graduate and Ohio University freshman was even more unhappy about the extra days she spent training this week.
“I could’ve slept in and gone to bed when I wanted to,” Funk said.
Funk was a member of the Bobcats’ 200-yard freestyle relay team, which swam an NCAA “B” cut and school-record time of 1 minute, 30.5 seconds during a time trial at the Mid-American Conference championships at Miami University on Saturday, Feb. 27.
When the selections were announced Thursday, March 4, the Bobcats missed out on qualifying by just .01 seconds.
The relay team set the conference, meet and pool marks with a time of 1:30.47.

Pennsylvania To Offer Back Tax Amnesty - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Splendid.

Pennsylvania To Offer Back Tax Amnesty - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Pennsylvania To Offer Back Tax Amnesty
Program Expected To Generate Millions For State Coffers
Posted: 5:35 am EST March 8,2010
Updated: 8:00 am EST March 8,2010
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania plans to launch a tax amnesty program on April 26.
During the 54-day amnesty period, all penalties and half the interest will be waived for businesses and individuals that pay off delinquent taxes accrued through June 2009.
The program is expected to generate a spike in tax collections and an additional $190 million to help offset spending in the fiscal year that began July 1.
Pennsylvania's latest amnesty program was developed during a political stalemate that held up passage of the state budget for four months.
A similar program last year in New Jersey raked in a record $725 million in six weeks.

Next, it would be great if all non-violent offenders could be released from jail and put into some type of house arrest.

PPS, District VIII, City Championships Swim Meet Results from Saturday

Yesterday at the meet, I got a copy of the meet results put onto my flash drive. It came to me with only places 1 to 6. So, I inserted the other splits from the rest of the Schenley swimmers. Plus I touched up a few clerical mistakes as well.

Meet Results from the 2010 Championships in PDF.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpMDVkNzIwYjUtMTE0Yy00OWE1LTkyMmYtYjE2ZGRmOTc4M2Y0&hl=en

Exciting swims!

Podium of the 100 fly. Nicole Grabowski, Senior, Schenley, got 3rd. Later, in the 100 back, Nicole got the silver medal and teammate, Alex Davis, got third.

 Team Champions, Schenley Spartans, go to the podium to get the first place trophy.
The scoreboard has the results of the final event, the boys 400 free relay. It shows Schenley with 3:41.72 and Allderdice at 3:42.79. However, the final results have a DQ for Dice. As the meet unfolded, the DQ nor the final relay would impact the team standings. The meet was locked up by the final event.

James won the 100 fly. Second (left) was Nate Landis of Allderdice and third (right) was Max O of Schenley. Max dropped from a 1:10.04 to 1:05.48. Max had only done a 1:10 once, and had been 1:15 most of the season. James had a personal record too. It was the first time he broke 1-minute in the fly. His time was 59.43. James hopes to attend the US Naval Academy. He already has two appointments. James also got 2 gold medals in relays (Medley and 400 Free) and a silver in the 200 IM.

Coach Borza and Coach Pitch look on in the bottom right of the photo. They were responsible for passing out the medals at the podium. Both are the coaches of the powerhouse Frick Middle School Team now called Pittsburgh Obama.

Pay $3,000 for a D party endorsement for an open seat

The cost for a Dem Party Endorsement for D-Party candidates for state rep was $2,000 -- except for the open seat left vacant by Don Walko (now a judge).

The cost for a Libertarian Party endorsement for the same race, $0. The experience, priceless.

Libertarian Party Nominates Demo Agoris for 12th Congressional District

Agoris offers voters a real choice on May 18th Special Election

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release: March 5, 2010

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg – This week, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) nominated Demo Agoris (pronounced Dee-mo) to fill the seat of the late John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District. Mr. Agoris will appear on the ballot with the Republican and Democratic nominees for the special election to be conducted in conjunction with the publicly funded nomination process for the two older political parties on May 18.

Mr. Agoris, a resident of Houston Borough, Washington County, has owned and managed several businesses including Agoris Candies and Agoris Real Estate. He served on the Houston Borough Council in the 1990's then served as the chairman of a Government Study Commission in 2000. He also served as an electronics repairman in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Born in Canonsburg, Washington County, Mr. Agoris believes in open government, tax and spending cuts, government reform, and Positive Leadership (www.a7s.us). Demo Agoris states "Government is established by and gets its authority from the consent of the people. Both Democrats and Republicans are moving our government away from its foundation and working for special interests. On May 18th there is a chance for all voters of the 12th District to come together to send a message that we want government to secure the rights of the people not promote special interests, that we want government that is open and honest, and limited to its delegated authority. I will be honored to work for the Liberty and individual rights of the residents of the 12th Congressional District."

"Mr. Agoris offers real change to the voters of the 12th District" Michael Robertson, LPPA Chairman noted. "The Libertarian Party is honored to offer voters a choice in this election to change from politics-as-usual. The path of a limited government focused to secure the rights of the individual and not promote special interests is the best way forward for our nation. Demo Agoris can bring that vision to Washington DC for the people of the 12th Congressional District."

***
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.

With Open 311, the White House is Like That Friendly Guy at the Code Jam | techPresident

311 is in the news again on two different ways.

With Open 311, the White House is Like That Friendly Guy at the Code Jam | techPresident: "We mentioned yesterday that White House CIO Vivek Kundra winged his way out to San Francisco to stand beside that city's mayor Gavin Newsom and discuss an Open 311 API, but it's well worth going into more detail on what yesterday's event signified."

The other bit of news that hit recently was that the 311 system in Pittsburgh is known for its hang ups. Lots of people call and are put on hold and finally hang up. I've hung up a lot. There is a lot of delay in getting to the operators. There is some branding and hype from the Mayor's office, IMHO.

Flashback. I helped get 311 to Pittsburgh and was the first to promote it as a candidate. The P-G wrote about it. Bob O'Connor read it and it was put into motion.

I also am waiting for Reverse 9-1-1 to come about too. With Reverse 911 the authorities can make an outward bound call to warn residents. Could be a train derailed, a gas leak, a jail break, a lockdown, etc. The city has not done anything on that front -- yet. Anyone reading????

City exploring more lease arrangements

City exploring more lease arrangements: "For instance, the city could find a private partner to finance the construction of a 'new mega-center' to replace or supplement aging recreation and community centers in the North Side. Why would a private investor join in financing and operating a recreation center? 'They can actually be profit centers where you can offer classes and swimming lessons' to a broad population."

Humm... Like at the ice rink that the city had that had a private-public partnership and has been closed for years.

Cost of materials puts Soccer City $133M over World Cup budget - Soccer - SI.com

Cost of materials puts Soccer City $133M over World Cup budget - Soccer - SI.com: "The venue for the World Cup final cost nearly a third more than estimated due to the rising price of building materials, Johannesburg officials said Wednesday."

Squirrel Hill movie theater closes

Squirrel Hill movie theater closes: "After more than seven decades, the Squirrel Hill Theatre on Forward Avenue has closed. The decision will have no effect, owners say, on the nearby Manor Theater which will continue to operate.

'It is with deep regret that I am faced with the decision to close the Squirrel Hill Theatre,' owner Richard Stern said in a statement today. 'It is no longer an economically viable operation and we can no longer sustain the losses which we have experienced over the past two years.'"

Perhaps the movie theater can be sold to the Gov Workers Pension Fund and managed by Citiparks Films in the Park crew so that retired firefigters can benefit.

Nevermind.

Wait....

Perhaps the Sci-Tech High School Musical can be held in the now closed cinema because the auditorium that was a part of Frick Middle School, now home to a renovated PPS Sci Tech had its auditorium converted to a child care center.

Nevermind.

Physical, academic fitness tied at the hip: study | Reuters

Physical, academic fitness tied at the hip: study | Reuters NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Physically fit students tend to score higher on standardized tests than their less fit peers, hint findings from a new study.

Health

Test scores dropped more than one point for each extra minute it took middle and high school students to complete a 1-mile run/walk fitness test, Dr. William J. McCarthy and colleagues at the University of California in Los Angeles found.

Parking Asset Plans for Pension Funds -- Folly and Folly Squared

Keeping Public Assets Public

View more presentations from Mark Rauterkus.

The Public Plan transfers ownership of some garages now a part of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to a private pension fund for government workers. Then with the new garages, the pension fund can use on-going revenue for the pension fund needs.

This plan, by Patrick Dowd of Pittsburgh City Council (one of nine) and Michael Lamb, City Controller (I ran against him for that post), is put into contrast with the plan from the Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl. The mayor's plan calls for a lease of the parking garages, something that I've been speaking against for some time. It would be better to sell the garages and not do a long-term lease.

The city gave a long-term lease to the guy who operated the ice rink in the park on the South Side. That lease didn't work out well for the residents. The roof fell in on it -- literally.

The city gave a long term lease to the Pirates and Steelers for their use of Three Rivers Stadium. That building is long gone but the public still owes tens of millions on a building that isn't there any more. Go figure.

The city gave a long-term lease to the Penguins for the Civic Arena. Now the Pens, renters, are moving out, and they insist that the building that they don't own be torn down. What renter tells a landlord to tear down a building they used to live in?

Pittsburgh gave long term leases to the Pittsburgh network of Carnegie Libraries -- and that hasn't even worked out well. Library branches have closed. The library can't do fix ups as they don't own the buildings. It is a mess.

The city should NOT do any long term lease deals. Period.

Selling is another matter and presents a much different and much better outcome for the city, for the residents and for the next owners.

City Paper Link

Local accountability is nice. However, there is no accountability with an authority. None. The authority board members are not elected nor do they face retention votes. The accountability resides in elected offices.

Furthermore, the pension fund is not a public entity. The pension fund is a private fund for those that were once public employees. The steelworkers have a pension fund as do teachers, gov workers and others have private 401K funds.

So, if a bank goes broke should we give it a parking garage and call it even?

A neighbor has a hard time paying her bills. Can the city designate five parking meters along East Carson Street for her? Can she get an on-going revenue stream by taking the quarters out of those parking meters?

The Dowd and Lamb plan is better than what Ravenstahl suggested. But it is still a matter of the lesser of two evils.

I wait for news and details of the plan from its authors. Will they tell us if these parking garages that are now owned by the public authority and are going to be transferred in ownership to a pension fund become a taxable revenue stream for real estate taxes for the city, school board and county?

Owners of private parking garages pay property taxes on the real estate. The pension fund should own the garages and the city should send them a tax bill that gets paid every year. The treasury should make a long-term income stream based on the value of the land and building of these garages.

What too about the parking taxes?

The city parking tax has been a nightmare. For years I've said that the parking tax should be moved to a much lower level, say 10 or 15%. But, dropping the parking tax should happen after the Parking Authority was liquidated. The parking tax throughout the city should drop by a huge factor. That is the relief that should be part of the plan too.

A transfer of the ownership to the pension fund as proposed means a deed transfer. So, does this mean a deed transfer tax payment? I expect so.

I think that the deed transfer tax sucks. But it is here. And if it is something that you'll pay when you buy and sell a home, then it should be something that they pay when they expand their property holdings too.

If the new owners pay both the deed transfer tax and the real estate taxes into the future, then we are on the right pathway. Neither of these are mentioned in the Dowd and Lamb slide show. They are the ones who should be keeping their eyes on the cookie jar, cash drawer, public treasury. I feel as if they are doing a shell game with the public's attention.

I'd suggest that once a deal is done and the properties are transfered, then the next adjustment is with the parking tax. Put the parking tax to 15% once all of these new entities and transfers are resolved and operational for 6 months.

Allow for the Parking Authority to have a management contract for the new owners of the garages for no more than five years. Then, four or five years into the future, the owners of the garages and the management contractors can renew the terms of their contract, or not.

Sunset is a great word that those on Grant Street should use in every discussion they have.

Don't insist that the parking authority be un-accountable to the new owners. Give the freedom and flexibility to the new owners to do what they wish with their properties. Sunset the management by the Parking Authority for the properties now owned by the pension fund. That should be no more than a five year deal. Renewal, or not, should be a factor between the new owners and the management -- not some hatched plan from council from years ago.

The Dowd and Lamb plan is far better than what Mayor Ravenstahl put on the table. But some changes and more details from Dowd and Lamb plan should be made before it beats my plan of complete liquidation.

A few more notes are in the comment section of the SlideShare site as well as Patrick's Facebook page.

Summary:
1. Transfer ownership means a deed transfer. Will there be a deed transfer tax paid on the total value of the properties that are transferred? I hope so. Say so.

2. Owners of property pay real estate taxes. What taxes are paid here? What are the assessments?

3. Sunset the management contract with the Parking Authority. Don't legislate what others should do with their properties.

I think it is a benefit to make dramatic decreases in the role of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority. For years I've said, "Let’s liquidate the Parking Authority." Without a Parking Authority, then policy decisions are done by those who are elected. That is who should do policy decisions. The Parking Authority is UN-Democratic. No Parking Authority Board Member comes up for a retention vote before the citizens.

Past and present city leaders are always fishing for one-time pay offs. This is another one-time windfall -- in a long series of them. By the way, how much does the public still owe on Three Rivers Stadium these days? Past Pittsburgh politicians sold the sewer lines for pete's sake.

Call ’The Private Plan’ the ’Ravenstahl Plan’ (or draft 1 of Ravenstahl Plan).

It is absurd that the Mayor’s Plan would forbid the Pittsburgh Parking Authority from building new parking facilities. So stupid. The only thing that would be more foolish is building more parking garages with public money -- like past city leadeers did so many times in the past.

Both Lamb and Dowd should be more concerned for the building of a regular revenue stream for local government too. Worry about the taxpayers, not your pensions. The regular revenue stream for CMPTF should be from the workers on the jobs now. This plan is to build a NEW, extra revenue stream.

Long-term economic stability is a but a dream here. Wave those red flags high when the plan hypes long-term and economics yet alone 'stability.' Will this plan create world peace too?

Local control is nice -- but this is really GOVERNMENT CONTROL of development options. I would much rather have GOVERNMENT CONTROL government functions and not have government play the role of development czar. Development should be driven by private investment money.

Pittsburgh's new YMCA sells naming rights

Pittsburgh's new YMCA sells naming rights Officials at the Y will follow the March 29 soft opening with a grand opening April 24. The four lane, 25 meter pool, which is still a work in progress, is expected to be ready by mid-April, Mr. Mann said.

No basketball.

IOC president Jacques Rogge doesn't get it when it comes to women - Ann Killion - SI.com

IOC president Jacques Rogge doesn't get it when it comes to women - Ann Killion - SI.com: "Ah, Olympic tradition. Tears. Cheers. And the International Olympic Committee looking foolish.
Just like clockwork last week, IOC president Jacques Rogge went wading into the gender equity pool at these Olympics and found himself stuck in the weeds.

Sabres Edge: Lalime to start against Penguins

Sid won't go against the Olympic MVP tonight.

Sabres Edge: Lalime to start against Penguins Lalime is ready to provide it. He will start in goal for the Sabres on Tuesday when they resume the NHL schedule in Pittsburgh.
'I’m playing tomorrow and looking forward to it,' Lalime said after practice today in HSBC Arena. 'I think he deserves the rest.'"