Pittsburgh: Still Growing, Still Succeeding

Despite the recession, Pittsburgh is still a strong economic contender in the US. It is one of the best places to relocate, and is consistently voted as one of the best areas in the country.

The Pittsburgh region begins the New Year in an enviable position, near the top of many national and even international rankings.

Sperling’s BestPlaces ranks Pittsburgh as the best city to relocate to in the United States, ahead of Austin, Texas; Minneapolis; and Denver, among others. The organization, which has been crunching metro data since 1999, says “Pittsburgh is an affordable city that offers the amenities of a megalopolis with added stability.”  

The Brookings Institution also places Pittsburgh among a rarified group, one of just three metros in the nation that have fully recovered from the Great Recession.

Click to Read More

The Handmade Arcade

Are you looking for something to do this Saturday? Why not join in on the Handmade Arcade, a day full of art and entrepreneurial spirit! Let's help our local businesses out by showing them support this Saturday the 8th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

This year’s Handmade Arcade boasts over 150 artists! Some of our vendors will be traveling to the ‘Burgh from all around the country to provide you with their lovely wares. Please join us in welcoming some of the incredible out of town guests we’ll be hosting at the Arcade this year.

1. Pizza Party by Yardsale Press. 2. Bicycle Notebook by Moonlight Bindery. 3. Pug Night light by YOU KNOW. 4. Deco Purse Drawing by Aw Applesauce. 5. Bird Cage Mixer Coverby jennyjen42. 6. Brooklyn Brownstone Tags by Craftgasm. 7. A Suffocating Pile by Cordial Kitten. 8. Leather Leaf Earrings by TOM CAT Jewelry. 9. Nothing but a wing Screen Print byHero Design Studio.  

Oh and BTW… Handmade Arcade will be Pittsburghers’ only chance to see many of these amazing national artists in the flesh this holiday season- so don’t miss out! 

Handmade Arcade is Pittsburgh’s largest indie craft show held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh this Saturday December 8th, 2012 from 11am-7pm.ADMISSION IS FREE!

Click to Read More

Free Holiday Parking Info

Shop Small on Saturday, November 24th

By Karen Mills, SBA Administrator

In between the Black Friday sales and the Cyber Monday deals is Small Business Saturday (November 24th) – a day set aside to support the small businesses that play a vital role in creating jobs and economic opportunities all across the country. Last year, Small Business Saturday gave a boost to many of these Main Street businesses, with more than 100 million Americans shopping at independently-owned small businesses. And this year we can do even better!

So what can you do to participate?

• If you are a business owner, register your business at www.shopsmall.com so your customers know where to find you and you can receive free Small Business Saturday promotional materials.  You can also make sure you’re prepared for the holiday season by checking out SBA’s advice at www.sba.gov/saturday.
• If you are a customer, learn which businesses in your community are participating in Small Business Saturday at www.shopsmall.com.  The website provides information on businesses currently registered and how you can rally your community to support the initiative.

Small businesses are the back bone of our communities. And when we shop small, we not only get great products and services, but we support our neighbors and strengthen our local economies. Over the last two decades, small and new businesses have been responsible for creating two out of every three net new jobs in the U.S., and today over half of all working Americans own or work for a small business.

By shopping small, we can help America’s small businesses do what they do best: grow their businesses, create good jobs, and ensure that our communities are vibrant.

I encourage you to join small business owners and the more than one hundred million people who were part of Small Business Saturday last year. 

Shop small this holiday season. I know I will.

Assistance For LIHEAP Applications

Northshore Coalition for Fair Housing Providing Assistance for LIHEAP

Greetings:

 The time to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has begun. LIHEAP is a program that helps low-income families pay their heating bills through a grant that offers assistance in the form of cash, sent directly to the utility company or a crisis grant for households in immediate danger of being without heat.

On November 8, 2012, the Northside Coalition for Fair Housing will be hosting an event to assist families in completing the LIHEAP applications. The event will take place at the Letter Carriers Hall, located at 82 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 from 10:30AM to 1:30PM.

 Please bring the following items:

• Names, birthdates and social security numbers for all household members.
• Copy of your gas or electric bill.
• Proof of income for all household members:

• Wages—You must provide 30 days of paystubs from the previous month
• Award letter from unemployment, workers comp, social security or SSI.

2012-2013 Income Guidelines
Household Size	Monthly Income	Yearly Income
1	$1,396	$16,755
2	$1,891	$22,695
3	$2,386	$28,635
4	$2,881	$34,575
5	$3,376	$40,515
Each additional person	$495	$5,940

Duquesne University SBDC

November 8, 2012

JAPAN Business Opportunities

Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Price: $45

REGISTER NOW 

Learn what the Japanese market has to offer to U.S. businesses who want to do business there. The topics will be the country of Japan, business opportunities, culture, language and resources.

November 15, 2012

7th Annual PA Business Technology Conference

Time: 8:00 am-4:30 pm Price: $99 using discount code PBTC99

REGISTER NOW 

Using technology in your business isn't a new idea, but how you use technology and what technologies you use to enhance your businesses profitability changes daily. 

 Social media is here to stay -  is it for you?  Search Engine Optimization is everything if you want to be found on the web - How does your company rank among your competitors?   Mobile applications, Google tools and customer relationship management software are allowing businesses to find, keep track of and send personal messages to customers.  Does your business use these tools?

A Check Tech at lunch will include:  what to look for before you buy your next computer, new tools and trends for quick and easy communications, three must-have technologies that every business needs and five security to-dos.  

Learn how today's business technology can enhance your profitability and competitiveness at this full-day event.  Over 150 people expected.  

November 29, 2012

Export Basics

Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Price: $45

REGISTER NOW 

This course is designed to meet the needs of:

• Manufacturers and technology companies seeking to initiate export programs
• Individuals within exporting companies who require orientation to exporting
• Service firms seeking to improve their understanding of globalization 

Course Topics Include:

• Recognizing and identifying export opportunities 
• Shipping and payment
• Legal and regulatory aspects of exporting
• Sources of information and assistance
• Cultural issues 

November 29, 2012

2012 Year-End Tax Saving Strategies for Small Businesses

Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Price: $45 REGISTER NOW  Tax season is right around the corner - the better prepared you are, the more money you can save. This workshop will cover 2012 tax law changes for small businesses, tips for lowering your tax bill and opportunities for adding to your bottom line.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We hope you stay safe this year (especially with  the storm), and remember that the city's Trick-Or-Treat has been moved to this Saturday! There are also plenty of events in the area to keep you busy over the weekend:

OWL-O-WEEN National Aviary, 700 Arch St., North Side. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. Free with general admission, $13. 412-323-7235; www.aviary.org. 

HALLOWEEN AT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH SPOOK-TACULAR Family-friendly event with black and orange craft-making, trick-or-treating throughout the museum and a costume parade. Fri. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, North Side. Members free. Guests $11. RSVP at 412-322-5058, ext. 274, or email members@pittsburghkids.org.
Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12299/1271656-51.stm#ixzz2AtodKBHj

Click to Read More

Congratulations 40 Under 40 Winners!

Let's congratulate this year's 40 Under 40 winners! 

They’re fourth-generation Pittsburghers, or they came here from other continents. They grow everything from community gardens to tech startups. They preserve our oldest neighborhoods and protect our youngest neighbors. They teach, build, raise funds and spirits, advocate, and entertain. And since nearly half are committed to fostering sustainability in our region, we thought it fitting to have Phipps Conservatory, a global leader in green and sustainability, as our backdrop. 

Collectively, this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees are a diverse group of creative and dedicated Pittsburghers, bound together by their love for the city as it is today, as well as an optimism about its future.

Click to Read More 

Join Next Generation Rail Supplier Connection Forum!

Women Business Leaders Breakfast Series

Enhance Your Business Skills Today! CWE looks forward to seeing you at our upcoming programs and events     Friday, October 12, 2012 (7:30 AM - 9:00 AM ) Women Business Leaders Breakfast Series Topic: "Alternate Dispute Resolution: How to Keep your Business out of the Court Speaker: Giselle Leonardo, Esq. Arbitrator, Attorney, & Certified Mediator Ms. Leonardo will explain the legal maze of alternatives to litigation by offering real-world examples, practical advice, and effective, efficient, and low cost solutions to litigation for small businesses. click here for more information and to register for this event.

Women Veterans Marching Forward: Call To Entrepreneurship

October Social Media Workshop

A Look At The September DBRC Lineup

Pittsburgh Makes Top 10 Growth Cities In U.S.

Pittsburgh's mix of low unemployment and earnings growth places it as No. 4 in the U.S. among metro regions in a new index of economic health from The Business Journals.

The On Numbers blog at the Business Journals announced its inaugural rankings in its On Numbers Economic Index. The index is a monthly rating of the economic vitality of 102 metropolitan areas. It'll be updated monthly.

Click to Read More

First Thursday Face-to-Face Social Networking

First Thursday Face-to-Face Social Networking Where: Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery 353 North Shore Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Driving Directions When: Thursday September 6, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT Add to my calendar   Come Join the Northside Chamber of Commerce this Thursday for a day of social networking! Please visit for the First Thursday Networking Face-To-Face meeting at the always attractive Tilted Kilt Pub.  Bring a stack of business cards and hone your networking skills. Snack on complimentary appetizers and meet fellow Chamber members, guests and friends.  This event is only $15 for Chamber members and $20 for guest.       Just click on the link below to register, pay, or RSVP. Register Now! If you have any questions about the event or how to register, do not hesitate to call or email me, I'm happy to help!  Thank you for your attention and response, and for being a part of the NorthSide/NorthShore Chamber of Commerce!  I hope to see you on September 6th!  Sincerely, Robin Miller The NorthSide/NorthShore Chamber of Commerce nsccrobin@hotmail.com 412-231-6500

Great Weather, Great Patio Party!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Patio Party!

Veteran Artwork In Lawrenceville

The Fe Gallery in Lawrenceville will be hosting the "Veteran Expression" exhibition starting this Saturday which showcases Vietnam era through current veterans' artwork.

"Veteran Expression," an exhibition of artwork by veterans who served from the Vietnam era through post-9/11, continues through Sept. 1 at Fe Gallery, 4102 Butler St., Lawrenceville (15201). The curator is Marine veteran Jared Boyer, a Fe Gallery board member.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, representatives from Operation Valor Arts will hold an information session at the gallery about the OVArts program and the organization, a nonprofit that assists veterans with education, career training and job placement while they design and construct public art to honor our troops. Information: www.fegallery.org.

Click to Read More

The Enterprise Zone Program Tax Credit Now Available

The Enterprise Zone Program (EZP) Tax Credit is available to companies that make qualified investments to rehabilitate, expand, and/or improve buildings or land that promote community economic development, AND which are in impoverished areas that have been designated as Enterprise Zones. Tax credits are authorized in the amount of 25 percent of funds invested, up to a maximum of $500,000. The application can be found at: http://www.newpa.com/find-incentives-apply-for-funding/single-application-for-assistance


The Southwestern PA Commission works with small businesses to aid in their business expansion and development projects. They also act as a public partner to reduce risk for local lenders, and currently have interest rates for business loans as low as 2.75%. For more information contact Dick Wallace at (412) 391-5590 ext. 322, or email him at rwallace@spcregion.org. For more information please visit: http://www.spcregion.org/plan_loans.shtml

Congratulations to the 40 Under 40 Award Winners!

Every year 40 Under 40 awards professionals in the Pittsburgh area who have shown excellence in civil leadership and overall impact in the region. Winners are chosen with the goal of recognizing 40 people under the age of 40 who are committed to shaping our region and making it a better place for everyone.

Selected from a nomination pool of more than 220 candidates, this year’s honorees were chosen by an independent panel of judges, comprised of former winners, business professionals and civic leaders. Winners were chosen based on their passion, commitment, visibility, diversity and overall impact on the region.

We even had a winner in our own offices:

Jon Pastor, 34
CEO and Founder, Rent Jungle

You can see the full list of winners here.

Now Leasing!

Now Leasing

Contact Juan Garrett

 412-322-3523

  jg@riversidecenterforinnovation.com

Riverside Center for Innovation is the renovation of the mid-19th century May Stern warehouse along the Allegheny River, North Shore into one of the region’s premier incubator.   The award winning architectural detail applied to this office building, utilizes the exposed brick walls and timber joists and beams to retain the character of this historic building.  Naturally, the view of the Allegheny River is nothing short of spectacular.  With over 11,000 s.f. per floor, Riverside Center for Innovation is adaptable to suite any tenant need, from 210 s.f. to 4,994 s.f.   Riverside Center for Innovation offers FREE parking, Fiber Internet Connections included with rent.  Other services: Telephone/Receptionist services, Photocopier – B&W and Color, Conference Rooms, Faxing, Word Processing, Postage, Exercise Facility, IT Services, Notary Public, Business Counseling, MBE and WBE Certifications, Entrepreneurial Business Counseling.

Our New Mission work to create a healthy environment for the region's entrepreneurs and small businesses to prosper by providing incubation support, training, innovative strategies and brownfield development.   Riverside Center for Innovation opened in 1992 to promote and foster the growth of entrepreneurial enterprises. The Center consists of strategic synergies among our businesses to provide a virtual company including accounting, public relations, risk management, research and real estate ventures. The Center is located within city of Pittsburgh’s Technology Zone and Pittsburgh Central KIZ.  The Technology Zone has been designated by the City of Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority to promote job growth and businesses to advantage of businesses expansion opportunities and investments.

Available Suites

Suite 211 - 522 s.f. - $696 per month	Suite 330- 499 s.f. - $665 per month
Suite 331- 783 s.f. - $1,044 per month	Suite 544- 172 s.f. - $225 per month

RCI's Own Pikimal/Webkite Featured In The Business Times

We love seeing RCI members get attention in the media, and it is not surprising that Eric Silver of Pikimal should be noticed by the Business Times. Pikimal is unrolling a new brand called Webkite soon, and we can't wait to see what it can do. Take a look:

Using the technology developed for Pikimal, the new company white labels it, making it a content management platform that any client website can use. 

“I used to think it was all inside Pikimal,” Silver said, about trying to build a new way to search. However, he now sees the technology as a way to harness the opinions of the crowd and the opportunity is giving that tool to others to run on their domains. 

Pikimal, which has seen its traffic recover and grow, is now powered by WebKite as are a couple other sites built by WebKite's team to show what it can do. 

“The big vision is we want to improve how search works,” Silver said, the same goal he had for Pikimal but now, its improving search within specific websites for people looking for specific items. WebKite takes a client’s structured data and uses it to build a dynamic site.

Click to Read More

Keeping it Legal with the IRS

This full day workshop hosted by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management and presented by IRS Exempt Organizations specialists, explains what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status.

Topics covered will include:

• Tax-exempt status
• Unrelated business income
• Employment issues
• Form 990 series
• Required disclosures

Fee is $50 and includes lunch. This session will take place at the Robert Morris University Holiday Inn at 8256 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108. For more information go to www.stayexempt.org.

Pre-registration is required. Register online or by calling Shelby Gracey at 412-397-6000.

A look at Innovators and Entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh

The Heinz History Center opened a new exhibit today exploring important entrepreneurs and innovators native to Pittsburgh. The installation titled Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation is set to be a long-term part of the museum that seeks to showcase the best, most well known innovators from the city.

Take a look at the exhibit here

The History Center's newest long-term exhibition, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, celebrates our region's incredible impact on the world.

The two-story, 16,000 square-foot exhibit features more than 50 hands-on activities and audio-visual displays, to help tell Pittsburgh's definitive story.

Beginning 16,000 years ago at Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Avella, Pa., through George Washington's first experiences in the French & Indian War, and Lewis & Clark's groundbreaking expedition, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation celebrates our historic accomplishments all the way through our 21st century role as a leader in medicine, higher education, and robotics.

Click to Read More

Welcome to the New Startups In Pittsburgh

The latest round of Alphalabs startups have completed their funding, and now we get to welcome these new businesses to the city! We encourage every entrepreneur to put in the hard work up front like these companies did, and to keep your roots in Pittsburgh. A thriving community and economy starts at the small business level, and we wish these new companies the best of luck in the future!

Aurochs Brewing Co. was first introduced in May at the Innovation Works Investor Day as an alumni of the group’s i6 Agile Innovation program, which is run in partnership withCarnegie Mellon University . The company is developing a gluten-free beer with a taste to compete with mainstream craft beers.  

CollegeZen was also introduced as an i6 company in May under the name College People. The first product is aimed at the college admissions process and creates a social platform to make the process more intuitive and less expensive for everyone involved.

Tunessence is developing a platform to learn and teach music online through what the company calls “an interactive Web experience.” So far, the site includes video lessons and the ability for students to record themselves for playback.  

AutoRef is a company developing an online platform that has auto dealers bidding for customers based on a customer's search criteria. Like many of the region's tech companies, AutoRef has its development team in Pittsburgh but its headquarters elsewhere, in this case southern California.

Click to Read More

Now Leasing!

We have office space available for YOU! Are you or someone you know looking to start your own business? RCI has everything you need at a price that's right for you.

With over 11,000 s.f. per floor, Riverside Center for Innovation is adaptable to suite any tenant need, from 250 s.f. to 4,994 s.f. and offers FREE parking, Fiber Internet Connections (Which are included with rent), Telephone Receptionist services, Photocopier - B&W and Color, Conference Rooms, Faxing, Word Processing, Postage, an Exercise Facility, IT Services, Notary Public, Business Counseling, MBE and WBE Certifications, Entrepreneurial Business Counseling and more!


Currently Available Suites are:

Suite 211 - 522 s.f. - $696 per month

Suite 214 - 469 s.f. - $625 per month

Suite 231 - 499 s.f. - $665 per month

Suite 237 - 423 s.f. - $564 per month

Suite 234 - 475 s.f. - $633 per month

Visit us online at: http://www.riversidecenterforinnovation.com/incubator_leasing.asp

Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta!

Next week is the Pittsburgh Regatta on its 35th year and still splashing! The Regatta is entirely FREE (so bring the whole family young and elderly) and features a powerboat race, sand sculpting, fireworks, live performances and more!

This highly anticipated event is appreciated by over 500,000 people annually... and great things are in store!

Expect some new twists to go along with all the favorites that have made Regatta one of the most famous festivals in the United States.

For more info visit: http://www.threeriversregatta.net/

Safe Boating For North Shore Boaters

Due to a high amount of unfortunate accidents along the North Shore, the Coast Guard and the state Fish and Boat Commission are revving up a safe boating education and enforcement campaign today through Sunday, hoping to influence the 1,000 pleasure boaters expected along the North Shore next weekend for the Kenny Chesney-Tim McGraw concert.

TribLive writes:



Even before summer began, tragedy played out on area rivers.


Three people accidentally drove personal watercrafts over dams — one woman died — and a watercraft-boat collision last weekend put a man and a woman in the hospital.


“These accidents are a big concern. People who drive over a lock and dam are just not aware of their surroundings. That’s the best scenario. The worst scenario is that they are not aware of their surroundings because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Richard Timme, who supervises Pittsburgh’s waterways.


Read More: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/2065686-74/boating-boat-pittsburgh-weekend-boaters-campaign-influence-river-safe-boats

24th Annual North Side Community Night

Don't miss the 24th Annual North Side Community Night with the Pittsburgh Pirates!
This event will be in a Parking Lot near PNC Park. Pick Up Tickets and Shirts at:

809 Middle Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4918

When:
Wednesday June 20, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT

**   Please Note that parking is NOT included in the event price, and that parking in the tailgate party lot is for volunteers and sponsors only!   **

Come join us for a rocking tailgate party followed by an inter-league Pirates game! With any luck we'll still be over .500!

Enjoy a fun and festive tailgate party with a DJ, games, burgers, dogs and plenty of beer, then enjoy the game under the lights at PNC Park as the Pirates take on the Twins!

Tickets are only $30 per person and includes the party, your game ticket  (bleacher section), and the famous Community Night T-Shirt!

Tickets and shirts must be picked up in the Chamber Office in advance of the event. Exact Parking Lot location will be provided at that time.

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities are Available.

This event is open to the public, so please share this invitation with anyone who might enjoy a night of fun, food, beer and baseball!

CALL 412-231-6500 TO REGISTER TODAY! DO IT! DON'T WAIT!!!

We must 'build a community of common interest'!

Here's a look at an article from the Post Gazette about building common interest, before building buildings.

What are your thoughts on the article below?


By Diana Nelson Jones / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


After seven-plus years on the city neighborhood beat, I've gotten a postgraduate education in community development. I'm starting to understand tax credits, federal-to-state-to-city funding formulas and why some people burn out and others thrive.
If neighborhoods are the best subject for a newspaper reporter to major in, Pittsburgh is the best school in the country.
Covering neighborhoods sometimes takes me to conferences, mainly to catch a lot of people on my contact list in the same room. I come away with story ideas and tidbits to follow up on.
The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group's recent second annual summit, "Making Complete Communities," gave me a lot more than story ideas. The breakfast keynote by Michael Bennett, a senior fellow at the Egan Urban Center at DePaul University, fed me some wisdom.
Mr. Bennett, who researches and analyzes community development policies and strategies with a focus on low-income and minority residents, talked about how we identify community. It is people who share common space, neighbors; people who share an affinity such as bicycling, and people who share characteristics, which during the election season becomes a perceived voting bloc: the women's vote, the black vote.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/morning-file/city-walkabout-before-the-buildings-we-must-build-a-community-of-common-interest-637977/#ixzz1xEZ2JbnZ

Pittsburgh Pirates African American Heritage Celebration

Next week is the 2012 Pittsburgh Pirates African American Heritage Celebration at PNC Park which is to be held June 8-9.

The celebration includes a weekend of promotions and special events that focus on honoring and recognizing African Americans in baseball while celebrating the African American culture in our community.

The Heritage Celebration also features Keynote speaker and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, the youngest head coach in NFL history to both coach in and win a Super Bowl in 2009.

Tickets for this event are $65, and include a lunch, a Q&A session with Tomlin, and a Pirates gift bag including a voucher for two complimentary Pirates tickets. Plus, meet celebrities and be entered in door prize drawings!

For more information, please contact Chaz Kellem at (412) 325-4731 or visit: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/community/heritage.jsp

Vets Connect BBQ

Next Saturday June 2nd don't miss out on the Vets Connect South Side BBQ!


Join Vets Connect and other great organizations for a day of FREE FOOD and FUN!

Find FELLOWSHIP with other veterans, service members, and South Side residents.

Make a CONNECTION with local service providers that are here to serve you!

Show your APPRECIATION and honor our veterans and service members.


Date: Saturday June 2
Time: 12 - 4pm
Location: Veterans Leadership Program parking lot- 2417 E. Carson Street

24th Annual Northside Community Night At the Pirates!

Enjoy a fun and festive tailgate party with a DJ, games, burgers, dogs and plenty of beer, then enjoy the game under the lights at PNC Park as the Pirates take on the Twins!

Tickets are only $30 per person and includes the party, your game ticket  (bleacher section), and the famous North Side Community Night T-Shirt .

Tickets and shirts must be picked up in the Chamber Office in advance of the event. Exact Parking Lot location will be provided at that time.  

This event is open to the public, so please share this invitation with anyone who might enjoy a night of fun, food, beer and baseball!

For more details click here!

Attention Pirates Fans!

The Pittsburgh Pirates are pleased to announce the 2012 African-American Heritage Weekend at PNC Park beginning on Friday June 8, 2012. On behalf of the Pittsburgh Pirates, I would like to encourage you to enjoy this very special celebration with us. We have exciting festivities planned that we hope you will enjoy and participate in. Below is an agenda detailing  the events scheduled to occur including our annual sports luncheon, Heritage Festival, and more.

Friday June 8th: African-American Sports Luncheon
11:30m a.m.-1:30 pm --- Keynote Speaker Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin
Tickets - $65.00 --- Lexus Club at PNC Park (See the attached Save the Date Card)

The Annual African-American Sports Luncheon that will feature Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin as our Keynote Speaker. Also attending to meet & greet with luncheon guests will be Pirates celebrities (TBD). Tickets are only $65 per ticket and will include a complimentary Pirates game ticket, Pirates prizes, and more. Tickets will go quickly, so we encourage you to save the date and reserve your spot quickly by calling
412-325-4731.

Community Champion Awards - As part of our 2012 Heritage Weekend Celebration, the Pittsburgh Pirates are soliciting nominations for the “Pittsburgh Pirates Community Champion Award”. This award will be given to six (6) area individuals who are ‘champions’ in their community and have positively contributed to the betterment of the community in our region.  We will recognize the 2012 winners during in special pregame, on-field ceremony. The process to nominate (or self-nominate) is quick & easy as the short application is attached. Please consider sharing and nominating candidates that make an impact everyday in your community, school, workplace, etc. It is our goal to publicly celebrate their accomplishments and community contributions, while encouraging all Pirates’ fans in attendance to become a champion in their community as well.


African-American Heritage Celebration (Pre-game Festival)
4:30 p.m. - The Heritage Celebration is a free festival held on Federal Street prior to the game will feature music from Pittsburgh’s own House of Soul. In addition, on display, will be African-American arts and crafts, educational, and health awareness information booths.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. K.C. Royals (Friday, June 8th)
7:05 p.m. - Free Shirt Friday --- Visit pirates.com to purchase Pirates game-tickets

Saturday June 9th: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. K.C. Royals
7:15 p.m. - Postgame Concert featuring the Legendary Boyz II Men. The group, originally from Philadelphia, has won four Grammy Awards. Please visit pirates.com or call 412-325-4731 to purchase your tickets today. Prior to the game, the Pirates will honor on-field, two students with a Josh Gibson Foundation & Pittsburgh Pirates scholarship for higher education. In addition, the Pittsburgh Pirates will wear uniforms of one of the Negro League teams from the Pittsburgh region.

Please see attached documents for more information Thank you for your time and ongoing support. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me directly.

Best wishes,

Chaz Kellem

African-American Heritage Day Save The Date

Pittsburgh Pirates Community Champion Award 2012 Nomination Form

Benefit Concert for the Wounded Warrior Project

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to help out our "Unsung Heroes" with A Benefit Concert for the Wounded Warrior Project May 18th at Consol Energy Park. 

This benefit features country music star Darryl Worley singing hits such as "Have You Forgotten" and "Unsung Heroes". 

For tickets call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 to purchase tickets!

For more details, click here!

Region may have found cure for decades-long 'brain drain'

Western PA and the Pittsburgh area could see a resurgence of business activity beginning with small startups and young people fresh out of college. Pittsburgh has a lot to offer for young people and with incubator services like RCI it softens the financial blow of anyone looking to start a business for the first time. 

PittsburghLive writes:

Micah Toll could have taken his electronic vehicle invention and set up shop anywhere in the world when he graduates from the University of Pittsburgh in two weeks.

Instead, the Tennessee native chose Shadyside as headquarters for Pulse Motors. His business partners, both Pitt students but neither native to Pittsburgh, also will remain in the area.

Toll designed his Personal Electric Vehicle Zero, a motorized unit that looks like a bike, to handle Pittsburgh's hilly terrain, but he never considered taking the idea to another city with similar topography.

"Pittsburgh has been incredibly good to us," Toll, 23, said on Wednesday. "The manufacturing resources are here, the factory space is available. There is a very good entrepreneur community here. Why wouldn't we stay in Pittsburgh?"

Read more: Region may have found cure for decades-long 'brain drain' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_790907.html#ixzz1sbgdalrv

Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park

Ever wonder what went in to making the Riverfront Park on the North Shore such a beautiful and popular spot? 

GrowingGreener writes:

This project involved the complete redesign and rehabilitation of a 67,00 foot segment of linear park and trail facilities along the north shore of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers.  The project area was primarily designed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as Clemente Park.

Since the time of the original park design more than 25 years ago the use of the park and the area surrounding the park has changed significantly.  Originally designed as a passive linear park complementing Point State Park, across the Allegheny, the park had accommodated a number of unforeseen uses.  River taxis, and the Gateway Clipper excursions fleet regularly dock along the park to bring visitors to Three Rivers Stadium and the Science Center.  The Steel Industry Heritage Corporation’s River of Steel Tours is planning to use the park as a landing.

To read more about the development of Riverfront park, click here!

Beerfest Only 5 Days Away!

Mighty Mighty Micro Brew Craft BeerFest: When: March 31st, 2012 12:30pm and 5:00pm Sessions Where: Rivers Casino $65/ Person

20 Brewers will be offering tastings including:  Troegs, RiverTowne Pour House, Great Lakes Brewing Co., The Church Brew Works, and East End Brewing Co. All Attendees receive $10 in Free Slot Play Courtesy of Rivers Casino! Hot and Cold Hors D'Oeuvres! Save the $3.00 handling fee and purchase your ticket over the phone by calling (412)231-6500 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday!