Fourth of July 2014 Pittsburgh Events

Photo by Chris Collins

The Fourth of July is this Friday and Pittsburgh is booming with various events and activities to celebrate the entire weekend. From fireworks to the Three Rivers Regatta, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Here are a few of the affordable or free events happening around the city: 

• Three Rivers Regatta (July 2nd-4th): Pittsburgh’s Official 4th of July Celebration! All FREE Family Fun… July 2, 3 & 4. Inflatables, face painting, caricatures—just a few of the activities kids can venture into at Regatta’s Colcom “Cool Off” Kids Zone. [more info]
• 4th at Fort Pitt (July 4th): the Fort Pitt Museum will fire its new replica 18th century cannon to kick off the annual fireworks display at Point State Park [more info].
• Heinz Field 4th of July Celebration (July 4th): Stadium gates open at 2 p.m. and admission is free. FREE concerts on Heinz Field Stage all day! The Steelers Merchandise Store WILL BE OPEN and Steelers memorabilia in the FedEx Great Hall WILL BE OPEN for fan viewing [more info].
• Gateway Clipper July 4th Dinner Cruise (July 4th): Ticket includes sightseeing cruise, live music, a buffet dinner and Best view of the colorful sky!  [more info]
• Y108 Freedom Fest @ Butler County Fair (July 4th & 5th): Carnival rides, fair food, petting zoos, farm animals and more (every day during the fair)! Fireworks on the 4th and Freedom Fest on Saturday the 5th. [more info]
• Kennywood Celebrate America! (July 1st – 6th): Featuring patriotic music, special daily entertainment and, of course, FIREWORKS nightly (weather permitting). Plus, save $10 off gate admissions with coupons from participating Giant Eagle locations. [more info]

Read more

Cut KIZ and R&D Tax Credit Programs Could Hurt Pittsburgh Startups-What You Can Do About It

Photo by Kevin Myers

A number of tax credit programs that help grow startups and other businesses and provide jobs and other economic resources in western Pennsylvania could be in a two-year long hiatus starting July 1st. Two of the programs to be cut are the Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) and Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit programs. Although, it may seem like a quick fix for the budget deficit to lawmakers, it could do long-term damage to the region's economic development, taking millions of necessary incentives away from Pittsburgh startups.

The credit provides small businesses a 20 percent tax credit and large businesses a 10 percent tax credit for increased expenditures on R&D in Pennsylvania. What's important, Russo said, is that small businesses have the ability to sell unused credits to other Pennsylvania businesses, which is "enormously" helpful for cash-strapped startups. 

She [Pittsburgh Tech Council President, Audrey Russo] said the credit is equally essential to the state's traditional manufacturing economy, which faces constantly changing markets where innovation is essential to survival and job retention. 

"For all of these reasons, the Pittsburgh Technology Council is urging legislators to explore other options to balance this year’s budget that will have less of an affect on the states advanced manufacturing, life sciences and information technology-related industries," Russo writes.

The Tech Council has set up an online tool to send a note to legislators.

Read more

Steve Case's Rise of the Rest Road Trip Coming to Pittsburgh Startups

AOL co-founder Steve Case will be visiting Pittsburgh next week, June 25 as part of his "Rise of the Rest Road Trip". The event will be held at AlphaLab Gear at 2:30 PM and is open to the public. The trip is showcasing 4 cities in America that have promising startup ecosystems in development-Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Nashville. For each city Case visits he is investing $100,000 to the winning startup in a pitch competition. 

Case is currently chairman and CEO of Revolution, an investment firm that has backed the likes of Zipcar, LivingSocial and AddThis. Sponsors of the tour include UP Global, Google for Entrepreneurs, Engine and Seed Here Studio.

“It’s important to remember that America itself was once a startup, and became the greatest economy in the world thanks to the efforts of entrepreneurs who built not just companies, but entire industries in the heart of the country,” said Case in a statement issued by his Washington, D.C.-based investment firm.

The point is not to just celebrate entrepreneurship, but advance it, Case adds.

He intends to do that. In Pittsburgh, Case will hold a fireside-style chat at AlphaLab Gear in East Liberty on Wednesday afternoon, June 25, at 2:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

The pitch competition will be held shortly thereafter. Pittsburgh startups are encouraged to apply to pitch before the June 15th deadline. The winners in each city will earn a $100,000 investment from Steve Case.

Read more

Celebrating Father's Day in Pittsburgh

Photo by Thomas Milburn

Father's Day is this weekend and if you haven't decided how to show your appreciation for the father figure in your life, below are a few ideas. This June 15th there are a great selection of activities and events you can do with your Dad. Plus, some places and events are giving special deals or freebies to fathers to celebrate!

ToonSeum

945 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, P A15222
412-232-0199
ToonSeum.org(Dads Get In Free On Father’s Day)What better way to tell your dad that you think he’s Superman than by taking him to see some other superheroes! On Father’s Day, dads get in free to see the “Superheroes: Icons & Origins” exhibit. Dads also receive a ToonSeum gift. ToonSeum will be open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday. Kids aged 12 and under get in free (as do dads on the 19th); admission costs $4 for everyone else. Help Dad “celebrate the art of cartooning” on his special day at ToonSeum.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

One Wild Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-665-3640
http://zoo.pgh.pa.us/(Dads Get In Free On Father’s Day)Give dad a break from the “zoo” at home with a trip to see actual wildlife at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium! You’ll even get to see the new baby sea lion pup that was just born last week. Dad gets in for free on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 19th) when accompanied by a child. The zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (the gates close at 4:30 p.m). While dad gets in for free on his special day, admission costs for other adults is $14; kids aged 2-13 get in for $12.

Read more

Annual North Side Community Pirates Night

If you are looking for a fun office or after work activity, check out the 26th Annual North Side Community Night on June 18! The event is a Pirates game and tailgate party hosted by NorthSide/ NorthShore Chamber of Commerce . Ticket prices include an event t-shirt, game ticket, tailgate food and beverages.

If you purchase 25 or more tickets for your company, your name will appear on the shirt and scoreboard! However tickets must be purchased today, June 4 to get the shirt sizes you request. For more information call 412-231-6500.