Pittsburgh Earth Day Events

Today is Earth Day, but many around the Steel City are celebrating this weekend. The first Earth Day began on April 22, 1970 with over 20 million people in the U.S. rallying for environmental protection. With programs like our brownfield redevelopment initiative, we know how important it is to protect the Earth every day. Learn more about the environment and Earth Day by attending one of these eco-friendly events happening in Pittsburgh this weekend.

At the Earth Day events, visitors can “learn a little bit more about nature and the city and be excited about being a part of this great community,” Hecht says.

Other Earth Day events include: • The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in Highland Park is celebrating Earth Day on April 26 with the annual PPG Party for the Planet, with activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event offers several activities where visitors can learn about ways to help make a positive impact on their environment. Activities, such as recycling games, eco-crafts and visits with the zoo's mascot, are included with general admission of $15, $14 for age 60 and older, and $13 for ages 2 to 13. 

Details: 412-665-3640 or www.pittsburghzoo.org

• Earth Day in Mt. Lebanon, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at Mt. Lebanon Main Park, includes food, entertainment, artists and representatives from many organizations, including the Sierra Club, political groups, animal shelters and more. Details: www.lebogreen.org

• The annual Westmoreland Earth Day returns April 27 to St. Vincent College in Unity with the theme “Color Your World Green.” The free event includes more than 80 exhibitors who will share information about the environment, energy and other related topics with attendees. The event, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., also includes kids activities. Details: www.westmorelandearthday.org

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Spring Clean Your Office: Community Shred & Recycle Day

Pittsburgh Community Services (PCSI) and the Environmental Energy Community Outreach Center (EECO) are holding the annual Spring Community Shred and Recycle Day on Saturday, April 26! From 10 am to 2 pm you can bring unwanted items to shred and recycle at the EECO Center. Examples of items that you can bring are:

• Cell phones
• Ink/Toner Cartridges
• CFL Light Bulbs

For more information on this free event check out the flyer below: 

Benedum Foundation Awards RCI $372,000 Grant for Redevelopment

Riverside Center for Innovation was recently awarded a $372,000 grant from the Claude W. Benedum Foundation. The grant will help further our redevelopment efforts and bring businesses and jobs to the Pittsburgh region. Read the article from Pittsburgh Business Times for more information on the Benedum Foundation's grant and RCI below:

Emily Buka, executive director of the Riverside Center for Innovation, said the three-year grant will allow her organization to conduct additional surveys, site planing and market analysis at the designated sites to assess the possibility for development and what chance there is for success.

Since her organization does not own the sites, Buka said there are two things needed to spur development: motivated property owners and a plan for development.

"That's what this grant will be used for, those additional steps that would make development possible and reduce the risk that something may not happen with these sites," she said.

Buka said this is the first time her organization has partnered with the West Virginia organization. The organizations are also working with the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, based at West Virginia University.

In the last five years, the Riverside Center for Innovation has received $4 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's Community-Wide Brownfield Assessment program, which has allowed the organization to assess about 60 sites and over 500 acres along the rivers spanning from Beaver Falls to Freeport.

Read more of the above article here and learn more about our other brownfield redevelopment efforts here.

Turn TGIF into TGIM

Photo by Nina Matthews

Since Friday kicks off the weekend, it's definitely one of our favorite days of the week! As Fridays roll by and work weeks come to a close, we can't wait to leave the office and enjoy the weekend. However, when we we think about Mondays our outlook is not always so pleasant. Inc. recently wrote some tips though on how you can make Mondays less daunting by utilizing some of those Friday afternoons. Here are there tips: 

1. Finish It Off

As Friday afternoon approaches Friday evening, it's easy to mentally clock out and get distracted by your weekend plans. Or, Friday afternoon procrastination might force you to work Friday evenings. Take a few minutes to assess what projects can be finished before the (regular) end of day, or at the least what would constitute a respectable stopping point. Make a habit of trying to wrap current projects on Fridays instead of starting new ones. Set yourself up for success by finishing the most important things early in the day, leaving time in the afternoon to focus on your employees, and on the company as a whole.

2. Write It Down

Outlining your most essential Monday tasks before you head out on Friday is a surefire way to make sure you'll hit the ground running next week. Write down what exactly needs to be accomplished, and be sure to build in time for something that makes you happy. Remember that Mondays are rough on everyone, so don't wait until then to set times and places for meetings; have your day laid out as much as possible.

3. Clean It Up

A clear workspace is essential for a clear mind. The last thing you need on a Monday morning is to be rooting around your paper-strewn desk trying to find those notes from an important client meeting.  Just 10 or 15 minutes spent de-cluttering today will seem like a great investment come Monday, and is likely to become a habit you'll be glad you developed.

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Emerging Tech Series: Chef

This week's Emerging Tech Series will feature Chef, a configuration management tool. It's automation platform transforms infrastructure into code that could potentially save a business time and resources. Seth Vargo from Chef will be the keynote speaker and will offer more insight into the automation tool. Here are some more details for the Tech Series: 

March 26th from 6-8pm
Riverside Center for Innovation
700 River Avenue
Conference Room, 
1st floor (by the elevators)

For more information or to RSVP for the event click here.

The 16 Coolest College Startups in 2014

Entrepreneurship can happen at any age. Startups are popping up in colleges around the U.S. and the business world is taking notice.  This March, Inc is holding it's 2014 College Competition for the coolest college startup.

Picked from a list of nearly 100 college startups across the country, these 16 companies are the cream of the college entrepreneurship crop. Their ideas span a variety of industries, from mobile applications to subscription boxes and cosmetic-product makers.

Their founders may be young, but the companies are already making significant strides--from earning revenue and seed funding from the likes of Y Combinator and Mark Cuban to cultivating celebrity clients. Additionally, these 16 winners were chosen on the basis of factors including originality, pitch (which we left mostly intact below), and growth potential.

Here, in alphabetical order, is Inc.'s 2014 list of the 16 coolest college startups. To cast your vote for the coolest college startup, among this list of 16, check out Inc.'s March Madness-themed tournment. The winner will be announced on April 8. 

Read more and find the full list of startups here.

St. Patrick's Day Events in Pittsburgh

St. Patty's Day is a big celebrate every year for Pittsburgh. The Steel City is usually full of music, dancing, drinks, and lots of green. The annual parade is a fun way to start off, but the celebration doesn't have to end there because there are tons of Pittsburgh events to go to celebrate.  Here are a few events:

MARKET SQUARE PARTY

During parade hours, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Market Square will host family-friendly activities, including face painting for kids, street performances from buskers, Irish music and dance from Celtic Shores, Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance and the Pittsburgh Ceili Club. The Ceili Club will teach Irish dance and invite the public to join in the fun.

After the parade, the party continues in Market Square with music by Bastard Bearded Irishman (1-2:30 p.m.), The Stickers (3-4 p.m.) and the Alex Talbot Duo (4:30-5:30 p.m.).

MULLEN’S PUB AND GRILL200 Federal St., North Shore, 412-231-1112Saturday: Red Hand Paddy (2-5:30 p.m.).

CLADDAGH PITTSBURGHSouthSide Works, South Side; 412-381-4800Friday: Wild Geese (6-8 p.m.).Saturday: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation annual head-shaving fundraiser (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), where participants raise funds in advance and shave their heads for pediatric cancer research. Music by Que Ball, Ceann and Irish Pretenders, plus bagpipers and dancers.

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