Sunday, March 06, 2016

Fwd: March News From PPT

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pittsburghers for Public Transit" <info@pittsburghforpublictransit.org>
Date: Mar 4, 2016 1:59 PM
Subject: March News From PPT
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

PPT


Greetings from PPT! Lots of things are happening this month!

Port Authority Public Fare Hearing—Tuesday March 8

Port Authority proposed a new fare policy that includes reducing the Zone 2 fare from 3.75 to 2.50. This is great news, and we are hoping riders can come out to tell Port Authority what they think. PPT also has some concerns about the proposal, which are laid out here

The meeting is in the Connolly Ballroom in Alumni Hall at 4227 Fifth Avenue on March 8th, from 3 to 7 pm. You can ask questions to Port Authority staff at different stations and then address the board during a 3 minute public comment period.

Homes for All, Transit for All—March 18

Join PPT as we address the Port Authority about the need for affordable housing near transit lines. The agency is currently working on their transit oriented development (TOD) guidelines, and we want to make sure these include robust and enforceable measures for affordable housing. We will address the board during the public comment period of their board meeting on March 18th, 930 am, 345 Sixth Ave, 5th floor.

City's Affordable Housing Task Force Deliberative Forums

The city is hosting 4 forums this month on affordable housing. This is an important opportunity for the public to come tell the city what we think. PPT wants to highlight the importance of preserving affordable housing near transit lines and not allowing displacement to occur. Residents cannot be pushed out to places with little to no transit access. Information about the forums is here.

County Council Supports 89 Bus Service on Weekends

On Feb 16, the County Council unanimously voted to support reinstated service for the 89 bus service on weekends in the Garfield neighborhood. The motion was introduced by county councilwoman Denise Ranalli-Russell.

The meeting featured several speakers from PPT and the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation who are currently working with the neighborhood in the ongoing fight to restore their weekend service. It also featured several residents from Garfield who came out to voice their concerns and hardships that they face without service on the weekends. Click here for media coverage of the event. 

Port Authority's Use of Police Dogs

At the February 26 Port Authority board meeting PPT shared concerns about the Port Authority police's use of dogs. PPT calls for transparency and accountability on the part of the Port Authority in the case of the killing of Bruce Kelley, Jr. See PPT's full statement here. Click here for press coverage. 

Electric Bus Ride

On Tuesday, March 1 PPT hosted a presentation from Proterra, Inc to learn more about their electric buses! Then, environmental and transit advocates got to take a ride--quiet, smooth, and with zero tailpipe emissions. We'll keep you posted with updates on how we can advocate to green the Port Authority fleet.

Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, March 7 – Affordable Housing Task Force Deliberative Forum West End. 2863 Chartiers Ave 6:00 P.M.

Tuesday, March 8 – Public Hearing on Community Benefits Ordinance. City Council Chambers. 400 Grant Street. 1:30 P.M.

Tuesday, March 8 – PAAC Public Fare Hearing at the Connolly Ballroom in Alumni Hall at the University of Pittsburgh. 4227 Fifth Avenue 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Wednesday, March 9 – PPT Monthly Meeting. One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, March 10 – Penn Hills Community Meeting with County Councilman Nick Futules. 7300 Ridgeview Ave. 6:00 P.M

Thursday, March 10 – Envision Downtown Public Realm Action Forum. 808 Liberty Avenue. 6:15 P.M.

Tuesday, March 15 – Affordable Housing Task Force Deliberative Forum South Side. 320 Brownsville Rd. 6:00 P.M.

Friday, March 18 – Port Authority Board Meeting. 345 6th Avenue, 5th Floor. 9:30 A.M.

Tuesday, March 22 – City Council Penn Plaza Rezoning Meeting. 414 Grant Street, 5th Floor. 1:30 P.M.

Wednesday, March 23 – Affordable Housing Task Force Deliberative Forum North Side. 841 California Ave. 6:00 P.M.

Tuesday, March 29 – Affordable Housing Task Force Deliberative Forum East End. 6435 Frankstown Ave. 6:00 P.M.

Wednesday, April 15 – PPT Monthly Meeting. One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 7:00 P.M.

Pittsburghers for Public Transit 

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Thursday, March 03, 2016

Fwd: 2016 Pittsburgh Badge Forecast (Now with working links!)


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Remake Learning <connect@sproutfund.org>


Dig deeper into learning pathways by responding to the Playlists & Pathways RFP and learning more about the new LRNG web platform
View this email in your browser
CORRECTION: The previous email had a broken link to RSVP for the LRNG | Pittsburgh Kick-Off on March 29th. This has been corrected below.

You can also click here to RSVP

Sorry for the extra email!
Badge Your Program
This Summer
Explore the LRNG web platform (formerly City of Learning) at the happy hour kick-off event to learn more about badges and attend training sessions to get started.

LRNG | Pittsburgh Kick-Off
Bodega at Gaucho
Tue 3/29 at 5:30pm

Training 1 (choose one)
Mon 4/11 12pm - 2pm
Tue 4/12 3pm - 5pm

Training 2 (choose one)
Tue 4/26 2pm - 4pm
Thu 4/28 11am - 1pm
RSVP for the Happy Hour
Seek Funding to Badge a Pathway This Fall
Ready to create a learning pathway? The Badge-Enabled Playlists & Pathways RFP is a special funding stream from The Sprout Fund to create playlists that connect multiple learning experiences for youth during academic year 2016-2017.

Bring your team and start working on your submission at the Mapping Playlists & Pathways ideation event on Friday 3/18 8:30am-11:30am.

Read about the RFP at sproutfund.org/playlists.
RSVP for the Pathways Event
Read more about learning innovation in Pittsburgh at remakelearning.org
Share
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The Sprout Fund · 5423 Penn Ave · Pittsburgh, PA 15206-3423 · USA


Monday, February 22, 2016

Fwd: Citiparks Lifeguard Recruitment


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Official Email" <official@pittsburghpa.gov>
Date: Feb 22, 2016 10:33 AM
Subject: Citiparks Lifeguard Recruitment
To: "AU" <au@pittsburghpa.gov>
Cc:

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A

CITIPARKS LIFEGUARD


PLEASE CALL THE AQUATIC DIVISION OFFICE FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION AT:  412-323-7928.


LIFEGUARD TRAINING COURSES ARE BEING

HELD AT THE OLIVER BATH HOUSE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES AND TIMES:


MARCH 19 - APRIL 30, 2016

SATURDAY'S

12:00PM - 6:00PM

*NO CLASS MARCH 26


MAY 10 – JUNE 2, 2016

TUESDAY'S & THURSDAY'S  

6:00PM - 10:00PM

AND SATURDAY MAY 21

9:00AM - 6:00PM


COURSE FEE $70.00 ~ PAYMENT PLAN IS AVAILABLE

YOU MUST BE A CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENT AND AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD BY JUNE 4, 2016


STARTING PAY RATE IS $8.91/HR

​​

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership BetaBurgh proposals

Three proposals were made to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnerships for its BetaBurgh RFP (request for proposals). The grants are for up to $10,000 each. See the text of those links by surfing around the site, Swim.CLOH.org.


Directory: http://swim.cloh.org/betaburgh/
  1. Open water swimming, Swim.CLOH.org  http://swim.cloh.org/betaburgh/Swim_CLOH_org_text.html
  2. River lagoons, 4RS.org  http://swim.cloh.org/betaburgh/4RS_org_text.html
  3. Floating pools feasibility, Rauterkus.com http://swim.cloh.org/betaburgh/Rauterkus_com_text.html

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Fwd: An Immodest Proposal

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "John Hemington" <jehemington@verizon.net>
Date: Feb 20, 2016 1:17 PM
Subject: An Immodest Proposal
To: "John Hemington" <jehemington@verizon.net>
Cc:

An Immodest Proposal

The time has come for some concerted action on the part of the people of Pennsylvania.   By now it is quite clear that the PA legislature has gone on strike against the very citizens it is sworn to represent.  As the end of February approaches there is still no completed budget – for this there is no conceivable excuse.  The legislature has clearly decided that ideological purity and political trumping take precedence over its duty to represent the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Absent legislative action on the budget state agencies, municipalities, school districts and organizations daily struggle to carry out their mandated responsibilities – and it is a losing battle.  These are desperate times for the citizens of Pennsylvania and desperate times call for desperate measures to reign in this out of control legislative body.  What is needed is an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to clarify legislative responsibility and provide sanctions for the failure of the legislature to faithfully carry out its duties.  This, however, will not be an easy task to accomplish as the Constitution provides no means for a citizen initiated referendum for constitutional amendments.  As it stands, it means that all such amendments must be initiated and passed by the legislature before any can be voted on and approved by the citizenry. 

Since the proposed amendment would not be viewed favorably by those legislators who have created this crisis, the only way to force the issue is through a general citizen uprising to insist that this be done.  To be sure, the legislature's failure to produce a meaningful budget has impacted Pennsylvanians of all political persuasions and given proper impetus such an amendment proposal should be able to achieve broad-based support throughout the Commonwealth.  In that light here is the proposed amendment:

Be it hereby resolved that it is a primary responsibility of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to approve an annual budget within the time frame specified by law; and failure to approve such a budget within the specified time frame is a dereliction of duty. 

In the event that such budget shall not be approved by the date specified in the law, on the day following the date specified, all pay, benefits and expenses of whatever nature and for whatever purpose due members of the legislature and the governor shall be suspended and forfeited for such period as the state budget is not completed and signed.

Upon approval and signature by the governor of a completed budget all such pay, benefits and expenses shall be recommenced, but under no circumstances will any of the forfeited pay, benefits and expenses be reimbursed for the period during which the budget remained uncompleted and unsigned.

It is long past time for the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to wake up and take whatever action is necessary to make the legislature realize that their failure and refusal to do their jobs will no longer be tolerated by those they have been elected to represent.  It is no longer sufficient to hold the entire Commonwealth hostage to impose some misguided ideological purity on the opposition – regardless of which political party is responsible.

John E. Hemington, Jr.

February 20, 2016

 

 

John

 

 

Fwd: Exciting News

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "John Hemington" <jehemington@verizon.net>
Date: Feb 19, 2016 9:36 PM
Subject: Exciting News
To: "John Hemington" <jehemington@verizon.net>
Cc:

Today we received some exciting news from Mike Krauss Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Banking Project (see below) as events around the country are turning the tide in favor of public banking.  Some of you will have received this already but it bears repeating.  As we get closer and closer to making Public Banking a reality in Pennsylvania and other states and cities around the nation there is much which still needs to be accomplished to get this done.  In Pennsylvania, first and foremost, the PA Project needs to raise money to support the efforts in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, Bucks County and other areas in the state.  This is necessary to enable travel expenses and research efforts to be undertaken at this critical stage of the project.  Up until now those of us involved have pretty much self-funded this effort, but we can no longer do this solely on our own – WE NEED YOUR HELP – both financially and politically to make this a reality. 

 

The PA Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and your contributions are fully tax deductible.  As Mike's message states, the City Council hearings in support of public banking in Philadelphia will be held this coming Monday.  We are hoping to have similar opportunities to present the benefits of public banking to the Mayor and City Council in Pittsburgh within the next month or so.  To do this we need to bring in some experts to testify and this requires money.  So, if you like the idea of public banks please do whatever you can to support our efforts.  Thank you.

 

For those of you not living in Pennsylvania there is almost certainly a similar effort taking place in or near your state, please support these efforts.

 

www.publicbankingpa.org

 

Friends.

 

As we get ready for the public banking hearings Monday in Philadelphia City Council chambers (1:00 PM, Room 400), here is some really great news.  Yesterday an Arizona State Legislature committee voted 6-1 to proceed with official hearings toward a state public bank.  That is a GOP dominated legislature!!

 

That work is led by another great team like that in Philly, Arizonans for a New Economy www.arizonapublicbanking.org

 

The Maryland House of Delegates will hold committee hearings next Wednesday on a bill​; an effort led for three years by Delegate Ana Gutierrez, with who PA Project Director, Frank Nuessle, former PA Project Director and now PBI Chair Walt McRee and I have been working.

 

As you read this, Walt is on the west coast for meetings with mayors, city council members and staff in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Another promising effort is San Diego.

 

And back East, our local teams ate moving forward in Pittsburgh and Trenton.

 

We are getting results and making progress in the best tradition of the American Democracy:  from the grass roots and the bottom up! 

 

Help make 2016 the Year of Public Banking please donate to support the work of the Pennsylvania Public Banking Project. 

Mike

Mike Krauss

Chair, the Pennsylvania Project

Founding Director, the Public Banking Institute

 

www.publicbankingpa.org

 

 

John E. Hemington, Jr.

PA Project Board

 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Fwd: 2017 World Masters Games, Auckland, NZL


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Russell McConnochie

Hi,

Auckland is hosting the 2017 World Masters Games (WMG) in April 2017 and Water Polo is part of the programme. 

Attached are a press release announcing the opening of registrations and  a brochure that has further details and links to the WMG web site.

Can you please let your masters community know about this event through your normal communication channels (website, newsletter, mail outs etc).  We want news of the event to go as far out into the water polo community as possible so if you have other contacts that would be interested in this event we would appreciate you passing the information along.

The more teams competing the more fun we will all have.

If there are players that want to participate and don't have a team then they can register with the WMG "Community" where individuals and teams can be connected.

Thank you very much for your assistance with this.

Regards,

Russell McConnochie

2017 World Masters Games Liaison for NZWP

 

  

 

 


Fwd: New Firmware Announcement


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Milestone Sports <hello@milestonepod.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 16, 2016 at 8:34 AM

New MilestonePod firmware released.
MilestonePod.com

New MilestonePod Firmware

Improve performance. Stay healthy. Choose the right shoe.

HELLO! Over the past few months, our research and development teams have been busy testing and validating new firmware for the MilestonePod. Today, the firmware opened as a wide release to everyone. This means that the next time you sync, you will see a "Pod upgrade available" alert.

Downloading the new firmware is optional of course, but we recommend that you do so, based on the following updates:
1. Longer battery life.
Some automatic parameters have been updated to optimize sleep mode, saving you power. 
 
2. Increased "in-run" accuracy.
Some new research and algorithm tweaks have resulted in more sensitive X-Y-Z axis, positively affecting the rate of impact, leg swing and foot strike metrics.
3. Increased "out of the box" accuracy.
On average, the MilestonePod accuracy prior to a first run calibration, ranges from 94-98%. Every device maker strives to make this 100% for all runners and walkers. This update gets us a little closer. 
 
4. Bug fixes.
As standard in firmware upgrades, some updates were made that are typically invisible to the user.
After updating your Pod to the new firmware, you may need to calibrate one or two times. This will personalize the firmware specifically to your shoe and gait.
 
Behind the scenes of your MilestonePod and MilestonePod App, we are always working hard to push the Pod experience to the next level. #neverstop
Need help? Visit our support page for a list of FAQ's or
email us at info@milestonepod.com.

 
Happy Running!
The MilestonePod Team
Facebook
Facebook
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Twitter
Website
Website
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Instagram
Copyright © 2016 Milestone Sports Ltd, All rights reserved.

ask us a question

MilestonePod · 9250 Bendix Road North · #605 · Columbia, MD 21045 · USA


Monday, February 15, 2016

Fwd: Multiple Open Positions-Immediate and Summer Opportunities-PLEASE SHARE OUT

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <RFlanag@aol.com>
Date: Feb 15, 2016 11:38 AM
Subject: Multiple Open Positions-Immediate and Summer Opportunities-PLEASE SHARE OUT
To: <rflanag@aol.com>
Cc:

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center
5321 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA  15224
Office- 412-441-9833
 
Job Descriptions Attached-PLEASE SHARE OUT
Immediate and Summer Opportunities
 
1) Immediate openings- Positions at the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation's afterschool program at Pittsburgh Arsenal and Pittsburgh Woolslair. Up to $15 an hour depending on experience.
 
2) Immediate opening- Manage the Neighborhood Learning Alliance Everyone Graduates High School Program. Hourly rate of $16 to $20 an hour.
 
3) Anticipated March opening- Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center is seeking multiple individuals to assist with recruiting 14 to 21 year olds for the Pittsburgh Summer Learn and Earn employment program. Positions could lead to full time work throughout the summer. Openings in the West End and East End of Pittsburgh are anticipated.
 
4) Summer openings- The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation is seeking to identify as many as five workers that would operate its Learn and Earn Summer Youth Employment Program.
 
5) Immediate opening- Garfield Jubilee Association is seeking a  "Youthbuild Education Project Leader". See the attached job description.
 
6) May opening- Earthen Vessels Outreach is seeking a Summer Food Program Manager. The hope is to hire someone who would be a long-term hire, but for summers only.
 
Rick Flanagan
Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Debt video

Economics: How Big is the U.S. Debt?

(New Video) Economics: How Big is the U.S. Debt?Sound familiar? We’ve revamped Learn Liberty’s very first video in celebration of our 5th birthday!

Posted by Learn Liberty on Friday, February 12, 2016

Friday, February 12, 2016

Hillary and Bernie

I do not agree with the root message in the article about Hillary finding her HOME RUN MESSAGE against Bernie. But, there is a difference in there between the 2 D candidates. Hillary is far reaching, broad, doing UNIONS in one breath and working for INDIVIDUALS in the next. She wants to help kids in Flint. Rush to help the person who got fired on Monday after that Saturday wedding. She is bouncing around all over the place fighting nose to nose. The problem for Hillary, is that there is only ONE of her. She can't be everywhere. She can't be a 1,000 points of Hillary and help all the ones that need the help.

Meanwhile, I think Sanders is going to wage an attack on a system level. He wasn't on the dang bridge in Selma. Perhaps the Clinton's were able to show their faces in the South. But, when Sanders is President, his JUSTICE REFORM is going to be in the minds of all in the POLICE DEPARTMENT when those marchers cross the next bridge.
Sanders is not going to rush to help a bunch of folks with new pink slips at the factory, and I expect Hillary would be there. But, Sanders trade policies is going to be attacking so that those factories are re-opening and jobs are not going to evaporate as many have done.

In the harbor of life, Hillary is an over-reaching couple of strokes with a paddle as she bounces from deck to deck on many boats. Bernie is a mega tide that lifts all boats. Or, if you want that "protective feeling" -- Bernie Sanders is the break-wall that protects the whole harbor from the storms.

What is the excuse? Being lazy? Not able to think again? Lack of political will?

There is a 4-letter word that seems to get in the way of what you want done. The hurdle, it seems to me, is a concept called, " W O R K ." Hard work, heavy lifting, planning, follow through, relationship building, problem solving and general FIXING of things needs to happen. Sometimes the work doesn't get done because of another 4-letter word, " L A Z Y ." There are some who want to have others do the work for them. They hire others to do their homework. They use consultants. They have to use OVERLORDS as an excuse. Without the money to pay off the contracts and the others, it isn't going to happen. If the work won't get done because of a lazy attitude, that is one possible way to explain frustrations.

Another way to account for the lack of desired outcomes is smarts. Do they understand? Do they get it? Can they "think again?"
There are a host of other reasons why things lag in Pittsburgh. Mostly, most are smart enough to understand. And, BK is one who has shown his ability in the past to hustle and buzz and try from time to time. So, I'm not sure what to think in this case.

Mostly, if things don't get done it is because there is a lack of political will. They don't care. Gathering a room full of people with an agenda gets things to a CARING level more quickly.

Keep plugging.

I care. Others care too. Call them out and ask them why fumble?

----
Posted above on a thread about South Side transportation matters that seem to be lagging.

A document from JG has been released. Not sure if I should share it here or not, just yet.