Continue reading »]]> 12^th annual outdoor festival kicks off summer fun at Point State Park

Rain or shine, the Venture Outdoors Festival, presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, returns to Point State Park on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

As one of the region’s largest outdoor, family-friendly community events, the Festival coincides with Highmark’s Walk for a Healthy Community on the North Shore, and showcases the best outdoor recreational opportunities our region has to offer all in one place and all for free. Festival activities run from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and include biking, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, kite flying, children’s activities and much more.

With experienced staff and instructors to provide guidance, individuals and families can try new activities and learn about Venture Outdoors’ public programs for all ages and skill levels, and where to enjoy them all year long.

Additional clubs, organizations and businesses will be on hand providing information about parks, trails and outdoor recreation in the region. Local outdoor shops will be on hand displaying the latest gear and services. Exhibitor registration is open until May 11.

As a signature event of Great Outdoors Week, which runs from Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 20, the Venture Outdoors Festival helps kick-off the summer season, drawing people out of their homes and into the great outdoors. Both events showcase local parks and green spaces throughout the region.

FREE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

Kayaking and Dragon Boating
Try paddling on the Allegheny River with kayaks provided all-day by Kayak Pittsburgh. Boats are flat-bottomed and beginner-friendly. Festival participants can learn to paddle in unison to the beat of a drum during Dragon Boating trips, provided by Three Rivers Rowing Association.

Fishing
Cast a line into the Allegheny and reel in a big fish! Fishing is offered for free all day. No fishing license is required, courtesy of the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

Biking
Bike the bridges of Downtown or the North Side, South Side or Eliza Furnace Trails. Bring your own bike or try one of ours. Tours made possible by PORC, Golden Triangle Bike Rental and Venture Outdoors.

Climbing
Reach the top of our 30-foot climbing wall and check out the view from 2-stories high.

Family Programs Area
Stop by the Venture Outdoors Family and Community Programs Tent for children’s activities and crafts, and listen to the sounds of Radio Disney. Learn how to get the entire family outdoors throughout the year on one of our Family Programs or Tyke Hikes.

Yoga
Join some of Pittsburgh’s best yoga instructors for 30-minute yoga sessions scheduled throughout the event. Yoga mats are provided.

Obstacle Course
Grass Roots Racing will be hosting a Kids Adventure Race Obstacle Course—KAROC, and a brief kids compass challenge at the festival.

Capoeira
African slaves in Brazil developed this martial art over 500 years ago. Unção Capoeira will be providing demonstrations of this beautiful sport throughout the day.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Bike
Use the South Side, North Side, and Eliza Furnace trails. A bike valet will be provided all day by Bike Pittsburgh. For more information on biking safely in Pittsburgh, please visit www.bike-pgh.org.

Bus or Light Rail
There are several routes that travel through Downtown and provide convenient access to Point State Park. For information about specific routes, visit www.portauthority.org.

Car
The Mon Wharf parking lot, which is usually closed on Saturdays, will be open and parking is available at $5.00 for the entire day. From the lot, it is just a short walk up the stairs to Stanwix Street and a few blocks to the entrance of Point State Park.

What:                     Venture Outdoors Festival

Where:                   Point State Park

When:                    Saturday, May 19, 2012, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (rain or shine)

Who:                       Anyone interested in learning more about outdoor recreation in the region

Format:                  Day-long festival with tons of exciting activities for the whole family with kayaking, fishing, biking, climbing and more

Sponsors:              Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, DCNR, WYEP 91.3 FM

Information:          Visit our website at www.ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564.

Venture Outdoors, a non-profit organization, makes it easy for people of all ages and skill levels to get outside. We organize more than 500 Public Programs a year including kayaking, hiking, biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, fishing, cross country skiing, canoeing and geocaching trips in local neighborhoods, city, county and state parks throughout western Pennsylvania. We offer affordable memberships for individuals, couples, families, students and seniors. For more information, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564.

###

Continue reading »]]> Every Friday, May through September
Noon to 1:00 P.M.
Each month features a different part of downtown Pittsburgh

May 4, 11, 18, 25: Penn-Liberty Cultural District
Meet Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Docents in Katz Plaza (Penn Avenue and 7th Street) at Noon on any Friday in May for a tour of the Penn-Liberty Cultural District.

Hear how the successful reopening in 1971 of the Penn Theater as the new home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra set the stage for revitalizing a 14-block area along Penn and Liberty Avenues through the leadership of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. You’ll see how historic preservation policies and the arts have created a dynamic, human-scaled, pedestrian-bike-and-car-friendly area (with buses and the T, too), containing new and historic mixed-use buildings and artful public spaces.

Reservations are appreciated by Wednesday of each week: marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527.  Download the 2012 Free Tour cards.

Continue reading »]]> The Business Plans and Profiles Index, organized and maintained by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, is the most comprehensive list of business plan related sites freely available on the web and includes book, periodical and online plans.

The index lists types of small businesses and a corresponding sample business plan, profile or book about the business with sources provided after each entry.  It does not include original content. The goal is to be as comprehensive as possible and to continually update the index.

Print sources indexed are limited to books in the Business Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.   A bibliography of all of the print materials and websites are included. Also provided is an overview about business planning and suggested small business websites for further assistance.

The index is especially helpful to entrepreneurs and those interested in starting a small business or creating a business plan.  The format is readily accessible, easy to use, and helpful to librarians serving business practitioners or management programs.  The website had 61,542 visits in 2011.  Public, academic and government libraries, including the Library of Congress, link to the site.  Check out this resource for your entrepreneurial customers.  Contact Karen Rossi, Department Head, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Downtown & Business, at 412.281.7141 if you would like additional information.

Continue reading »]]> To celebrate immigration’s role in our past, present, and future, the Allegheny County Library Association and Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council are partnering with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to provide workshops in area libraries. There is a joint focus on raising awareness about topics related to immigration and also to expand educational opportunities to local communities.

The Pittsburgh region is home for individuals, families and communities that reflect many nationalities and backgrounds.  A visit to any neighborhood reflects the unique flavors and characteristics that are the result of distinct cultures taking root in our region.

Throughout 2012 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will host several information sessions at no cost to participants in area libraries.  Topics include navigating the immigration process, understanding immigration through the internet, the citizenship process, and the importance of civic engagement. Sessions exploring the history of immigration in the United States and Pittsburgh area and genealogical studies through immigration records may also be of interest.

Libraries hosting workshops this spring include Cooper-Siegel Community Library, Scott Township Library, C.C. Mellor Memorial Library and Carnegie Library of McKeesport.  Additional libraries will be hosting workshops this fall.  For more information contact your library or visit www.aclalibraries.org.

About ACLA

ACLA pursues, provides and promotes the highest quality public library service possible for all residents of Allegheny County through collaboration, cooperation and coordination.  There are 45 ACLA libraries with 73 locations plus bookmobile stops throughout the county.

www.aclalibraries.org

About GPLC

Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council is a national leader in adult education and family literacy. GPLC provides educational programs to 6,200 adults and families each year in the Pittsburgh area.  In addition, GPLC serves another 8,000 learners in other cities around the nation through our AmeriCorps program.  GPLC students become better parents, workers, and citizens as a result of these programs.  GPLC also provides training and assistance to dozens of other literacy programs.

www.gplc.org

About USCIS

USCIS secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system.

www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

Contacts
Lori Como Keefer
GPLC
412-393-7642
lcomo [at] gplc.org

Charity Leonette
ACLA
412-921-1123
leonettec [at] einetwork.net

Carla Pendino
USCIS
215-255-4940
carla.pendino@dhs.gov

Continue reading »]]> Add YOUR ideas to the public discussion about services for individuals and families in Allegheny County.  The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is once again hoping to hear recommendations from county residents about how best to provide services for individuals and families in Allegheny County. Services include those for individuals with:

• mental health concerns;
• substance use disorders and/or
• intellectual disability;

as well as those related to

• child welfare;
• older adults; and
• basic needs.

Call the Director’s Action Line at 1-800-862-6783, weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., if:

• You are in need of special accommodations. Please make arrangements at least one week before the meeting date.
• You have general questions about the community meetings.
• You have a concern about a specific case. The DAL will also be available at the meetings.

Please join us.  We will also use these opportunities to talk about developments at the federal and state level, including information related to the governor’s proposed human services block grant and funding reductions.

You will have an opportunity to talk directly with DHS Director Marc Cherna, and the administrators of the DHS offices that oversee the services listed above.

Monday, April 23 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 25 1:30 p.m.
Human Services Building (HSB)
One Smithfield Street,15222
Lower Level, Liberty Conference Room

Limited parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 4:45 p.m. on April 23 in the lot behind the HSB. No parking is available at the HSB on April 25. The HSB is on several bus routes. Other routes have stops within walking distance. Visit www.portauthority.org for details. [Download the flyer.]

Continue reading »]]> Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC), Pennsylvania’s second largest adult education agency, is seeking volunteers to teach Basic Literacy (reading, writing, math, computer skills) and English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult students throughout Allegheny County.  There are currently over 100 students waiting to be matched with a tutor.

GPLC offers a free 12-hour training to volunteers!

Do you want to tutor non-native English speakers in English as a Second Language?  The next trainings wills be held at our downtown office (March 5, 7, 12 & 14 from 6-9pm) and in Oakland (April 14 and 21 from 9am—4pm).  No foreign language experience necessary.

Would you prefer to tutor a Basic Literacy student? The next trainings will be held in the North Hills (March 24 and 31 from 9:30am—4:30pm) and at our downtown office (April 2, 4, 9 and 11 from 6—9pm).

Advance registration is required.  Please call our office at (412) 393-7600 or email Anita at acohen@gplc.org to register or for more information.

Continue reading »]]> from our community partners at the Consumer Health Coalition

At the Consumer Health Coalition, we run the PA Campaign for Better Care (PA-CBC), an initiative involving older adults with chronic conditions and their caregivers with a shared focus on education, coordination, and advocacy.

• We seek to empower persons to be active and involved in their health care so that treatment plans are coordinated, patient-centered, and high quality.
• We train individuals to be self-advocates working individually and corporately to create an efficient and effective health care system that has the patient as the “North Star” of each and every medical appointment.
• We spend time educating vulnerable seniors on the health care system and notably the Affordable Care Act and defense of Medicare and Medicaid.

One of the best  and most successful ways we do this is through our “LIFT UP YOUR VOICE!” (LUYV) Advocacy training for seniors and caregivers. The training focuses on:

• Self-advocacy in terms of making the most of your medical appointments by getting tips and pointers on making sure the care is patient-centered; you are dialogue with the medical professional; you ask questions and get answers.
• Training on how to make your case and tell your story in 27 words, 9 seconds, and making 3 points!  This has been one of the most sought after parts of the training!  Folks learn the skill and love putting it into practice!
• Advocacy 101 — the WHY and the HOW of our health care system is covered.  Learn tips and pointers on how you can create a more patient-centered, quality, system of health care.

Join us for a one-day training and includes a FREE meal and refreshments and a RESOURCE NOTEBOOK packed full of valuable information and useful materials!

Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Time: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Bistro to Go Meeting Room
415 East Ohio Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(Northside)

To register for this event please call or email Leslie Bachurski at (412) 456-1877 x 200 or lbachurski@consumerhealthcoalition.org  — Deadline for registration is 22 February 2012.

Click here for a flyer to post and share with your organization and network.

Continue reading »]]> For just a little of your time once or more a week, you’ll give a child the chance to shine.

As an OASIS tutor, you can help a child learn to love reading and learning. OASIS volunteers, Pittsburgh Public Elementary Schools, and Woodland Hills School District work together to help young children build reading skills and positive attitudes towards learning.

That’s the wonder of an OASIS tutor!

Tutor Training: Winter/Spring Session
Dates: Thursday, February 16 & Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Time: 10:15a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Place: OASIS Office, Macys 6th Floor, 400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Required two-day training is provided free along with all clearances, books, and materials.

For more information please contact Shirley Fisher at 412-232-2023 or email tutoringpgh@oasisnet.org.
OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program is made possible by grants from The Grable Foundation,  and The Jack Buncher Foundation.

Continue reading »]]> from our partners at United Way of Allegheny County

Please invite your clients and staff to our first annual Family Tax Day, January 28 , 2012.  This one day event, held at United Way’s offices at 1250 Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, is a great way for income eligible Allegheny County residents to get their federal and state taxes prepared for FREE.  Volunteers from a variety of local IRS VITA sites will provide these valuable, high quality services to families with incomes up to $40,000 and individuals with incomes up to $20,000. (the attached flyer has complete information on time, location and how to schedule appointments)

This event is being hosted by United Way of Allegheny County, the IRS, the Money In Your Pocket Coalition and PNC Bank to celebrate the IRS designated Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day.  The EITC is the nation’s largest anti-poverty program and is responsible for lifting millions of families over the poverty line each year.

We are very excited to announce that as part of Family Tax Day, PNC staff will be on hand to offer taxpayers without traditional bank accounts the option of having their federal refund deposited into a very low fee debit card account or can provide a check cashing letter that will allow taxpayers to get their refund checks cashed for free at select PNC Bank locations.  These offerings are very important to families who do not have access to bank accounts.  Often unbanked families fall prey to predatory lenders and expensive check cashing services and lose the full benefit of their refunds by paying hundreds of dollars in fees.  Families taking advantage of free tax prep services at Familly Tax Day and other Money In Your Pocket tax sites now have no cost and low cost alternatives through PNC Bank.

For more information or to schedule a Family Tax Day appointment, call 2-1-1 (or 412.255.1155 if 2-1-1 does not work from your phone).  More information on Money In Your Pocket tax sites can be found at www.pghfreetaxes.