Hi,

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the birth of Joe Louis (1914) and Mary Wells (My Guy 1943), the anniversary of the Mexican War being declared (1846), Philly Police bombing of the radical MOVE headquarters (1985) and Stevie Wonder’s birthday (1950).

There are rules debt collectors must follow.  The collector must tell you within five days the exact amount you owe, who you owe and how to proceed if you don’t feel you owe.  If you dispute the debt, be sure to send the collection agency a letter within thirty days why you feel you do not owe this amount (request a signature from the postal service showing the letter was received).  Collectors are not allowed to call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.  They also can not contact you at work, if you tell them your boss doesn’t allow personal phone calls.  They can not “harass, oppress, threaten or abuse you”, nor can they publicly publish your name.  They can not lie or claim they are something they are not (ie that they work for the government, etc).  To report problems, go to the state attorney general’s office or contact the FTC.

Pennsylvania has banned payday lenders for the past six years.  That does not keep these predators out of the state, they are very active on-line.  Just ask Pete Alfeche of Havertown.  Going through a rough time with divorce, raising two teenage sons and some health issues, he borrowed $250.  Unfortunately he fell into the trap payday lenders count on and he ended up paying $2,000 over the course of a year when he could finally pay it off.  State Representative Chris Ross, R Chester County has sponsored a bill allowing  payday lenders back in the state.  In his defense, there are some restrictions in his bill about the activities payday lenders can do.  My issues are two, #1 it doesn’t eliminate the on-line payday lenders.  And #2, by nature, they are a predatory business that sucks assets people down on their luck desprately need.  You can contact Rep Ross on his web site.

Canonsburg is getting ready for home town boy Perry Como’s 100th birthday (he passed away in 1971).  The “singing barber” got his break by singing with the Freddie Carlone Band performing in Cleveland.  He was later signed to RCA-Victor Records and had many hits, a TV serial and frequently hosted holiday TV specials.  The local McDonalds in Canonsburg sort of serves as a shrine to him and Bobby Vinton (another son of Canonsburg) with framed photos, records and even busts of the entertainers.  More info at Canonsburg’s web site or by calling 724.745.1515.

Out of the mouth of babes, well somewhat.  Last weekend, there was a Pirates game at the same time as a Marilyn Manson concert and an estimated 40,000 people were on the Northside for the events.  The T service was chronically short, which infuriate our new County Excecutive Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald said this was unacceptable and the Port Authority will fix their operations or he will do the same thing to them as he did to the county board of health (he fired the director about a month ago). Port Authority Jim Richie said “A lot of people think we should have added  service.  But it came down to money.  We tried to throw out as much service as we could , as much as we could afford.” This goes back to what Steve Bland, the director of Port Authority said during construction of the Northshore connector.  When asked if they would beef up service on Steeler home game weekends, he said “No, that would involve overtime”.  He quickly backed off that statement.  But apparently they still have that mind set.  Lesson #1 Mr. Port Authority, as a business owner, I would decrease service when the T’s are empty and increase it when they are full.  Idiots.

I seriously apologize.  I can’t stop here.  Port Authority just lost a lawsuit about running an ad for ex-felons that they could be eligible for voting rights.  They refused to run the ad sponsored by the League of Young Voters in 2006.  Port Authority said the ad was against their one paragraph policy governing ads.  (They have since replaced that with a four page policy after finally reviewing the ad policies of their peers, like SEPTA in Philly).  After six years of legal wrangling, the judge ruled that Port Authority was totally wrong and not only has to run the ads, they also must pay for UCLA’s legal defense.  The cash strapped agency that’s slashing routes and raising fares has to pay the ACLU $476,357.77 (and that doesn’t include Port Authority’s legal bills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Pyrotechnico, like the the better known Zambelli Brothers are from right up in New Castle. They have been around over 125 years and produce 2,500 shows a year.  They are producing PyroFest in Hartwood Acres on Saturday, May 26.  They are having several shows, it starts at 5 with smoke and noise displays.  All toll, there will be six shows, including a military tribute, a national anthem display, a “Renegade” display featuring the Styx song so associated with the Steelers as well as UFO and smoke.  Phantom Fireworks will also have a demo and display of their products.  Performing will be B.E. Taylor and The Gathering Field.  Pyrotechnico hopes to make this an event they can replicate around the country.  Doors open at 3 pm, price is $18, $10 for kids.  (VIP seating is $40).  Don’t forget to bring a chairs or blankets.  More info at their web site, Showclix or the Hartwood Acres site.

Have a great weekend and happy Mother’s Day,

ed

Hi,

Tomorrow is anniversary of Schuman Plan (the European Union in 1952 which later evolved into the Euro Zone), the British captured the Enigma Machine from a disabled German sub the cracked the German secret codes (1941), FCC’s chairman Newton Minow invited the TV executives to sit down and spend a day watching what they were producing “a vast wasteland” and challenged them to come up with new and creative programing (1961).

I’m torn here.  I like art and creativity as well as function.  When combined, you go to a new level.  The Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery at 5833 Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside is having their annual tea pot exhibit.  By definition, gallery owner Amy Morgan says “You can’t put tea in any of the teapots in this show.”  The sixty artists that have entered this show have made tea pots are made of glass, metal, ceramic, welded & forged steel, wood and various other fibrous materials such as felt, silk, raffia, even pine needles.  There’s a porcelain shaped like a candy tin with cheese, fruit and a napkin on top, there’s a colorful parrot carved from wood, a flame worked and cast glass pot that resembles a whimsical octopus, little red riding hood sitting on a couch conversing with the wolf that looks like he’s ready to pounce and many other unique pots.  The show runs from 11 am until 5 pm Tuesdays through Fridays and noon until 5 on Saturdays through June 2.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.441.5200.

Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has started up their free Downtown tours already.  This is a must do for anyone that has time starting at noon every Friday through September.  The tours are about an hour and the guides pass on an incredible amount of information, like the documents forming the now defunct Czechoslovakia were signed across Seventh Street from the Benedum.  Banks at the tour of the 19th century generally had lions guarding their doors.  Pittsburgh was the second riches city in the country in 1907 (the year the city of Pittsburgh illegally annexed the City of Allegheny).  May’s tours are focusing on the Penn/Liberty Cultural District, June’s tours will focus on Market Square, July will tackle Grant Street and Mellon Square (hopefully the renovations will show progress), 4th Avenue and PPC Plaza  will take the spotlight in August and September bridges and river shores will be the center of focus in September.  October will feature tours of some of the key city neighborhoods.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.471.5808.

Conflict Kitchen’s moving from the East End to Downtown this summer.  They haven’t finalized a lease yet, so the exact location hasn’t been released.  They are looking for a space that has some space for some seating (currently it’s a walk up).  Jon Rubin and Dawn Weleski started this restaurant (which is internationally known) to educate people about the cultures the U.S. is in conflict with.  The menu rotates between Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  And the staff can initiate conversations about the featured nation’s culture, the don’t take a position “these poor countries need American help” or ”America is the super aggressor that needs to leave”.  They focus on cultural distinctions that can aid in our understanding of a different culture.  Cool.

OK you mid lifers, one of the biggest concerns of people my age is retirement.  It’s HUGE.  Do we have enough money to cover expenses?  What will our life style be like?  Can we enjoy our “golden years”?  There’s a web site, analyze now that can give you some guidance.  Something many of us aren’t familiar with is Medicare/Medicaid.  And with all the current political conversations, things aren’t getting clearer.  Some people plan on $5k per year “out of pocket” costs in retirement to find it’s more like $10k per year.  Keep in mind Medicare/Medicaid does not cover eye, dental or hearing treatments.

Jim Scalo or Burns & Scalo Real Estate has started a new venture with Joe Blattner, Class-G.org.  They are organizing green ratings for existing buildings.  I guess it’s OK for large business, but I find their $700 annual fee daunting.

Gary Geyer of Lawrenceville is open Pittsburgh’s first indoor bike park in an 80,000 square foot old warehouse on Hamilton Avenue in Homewood.  Geyer, an avid bicyclist, got interested in the idea after visiting Cleveland’s Ray’s MTB Indoor Park.  This 120,000 square foot indoor bike park was the first of it’s kind in the US.  It opened in 2004 and had 20,000 visitors in 2010.  Geyer, a local contractor, is planning mountain biking trails, a BMX trick park, an area for beginners, a spin class area and possibly a lounge.  He’s planning on opening in stages and hopes to have the first section of Wheel Mill open by the end of the year.

There are four reliefs carved into two foot square pieces of stone tucked away in an alleyway.  One is obviously Prez Lincoln (and he’s the only one facing left), an Indian with a headdress, a man that could  be Prez Washington and a mystery lady.  Originally they were on the front of a building built during the Civil War at 808 Liberty Avenue that was demolished after the 1936 flood.  The building belonging to the Arbuckles (of coffee fame) constructed a new building on the original foundation and for some reason had the reliefs placed on the back of the building facing the alleyway.  Anyway, it’s a little piece of Pittsburghabia (my word) you can impress your friends when walking around Downtown.

I was scheduled for jury duty a month ago and wrote the wrong date on my calendar.  When I realized this, the date had passed.  I called them and they were very understanding and I was scheduled for today.  I went in this morning (in shorts) and was waiting with the masses when one of the clerks came to me and asked me to follow her with all my stuff.  Again, she was very nice telling me to go home.  I think they’re going to end up sending a sheriff next time to be sure I’m aware of when I’m scheduled and that I am properly attired. 

I really am loving these longer days.  I am so much more productive and full of energy.  The white lilacs are opening up and filling the Courtyard with their wonder scent.  Everything’s so green and healthy looking.  Yeah spring!

Have a great day,

ed

Hi,

Tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby (since 1875), the American made up Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, Karl Marx’s birth anniversary (1818), James Beard’s birth anniversary (1903), Tyrone Power’s birth anniversary and Thailand’s Coronation Day marking the day the current king was crowned in 1946.

They officially opened South Side’s river front park this week.  The 3.2 acre park runs from 25th Street down to the Hot Metal Bridge.  This gives river access to the Southside Works retail complex and connects Three Rivers Heritage and the Great Allegheny Passage Trails.  They are not ignoring the history of the land there (formerly the J & L Steel Mill).  Five steel ingots and a large slag ladle crews discovered while constructing the park have been preserved and on display, as is a former gate from J & L’s Morgan Billet Mill donated by Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.  The park is designed to incorporate a marina, possibly as early as next year.

The Butler County Industrial Museum opened recently.  It is at 801 Plumb Street in Darlington and starting June 3, it will be open Saturdays from 10 am until 5 pm and Sundays from 1:30 until 5 until October.  Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.  The museum houses records and collections from A & S Railroad, B & W, Crucible, J & L, Moltrup, United Steel Workers of America, Fry Glass, Cooperative Flint Glass, Mayer China and other Beaver County based businesses.  They don’t seem to have a web site yet, but more info or to arrange a special tour, call 724.312.0831.

Louisville, CO painter Mark Loebach believes that when it comes to our individual identities, each of us builds layers that eventually become a wall that keeps us from understanding ourselves.  Over our life time, this wall gets thicker and thicker.  His latest exhibit Beautiful Beasts is being shown at Boxheart Gallery (4523 Liberty Ave, Bloomfield) is open through May 26.  It is a series of large-scale bodies in motion.  Regular gallery hours are Tuesdays 11 until 6, Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 until 6 and Sundays 1 until 5.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.6878858;.

Meadowcroft, the oldest site known for human habitation is opening for the season down in Avella, Washington County.  Under a 16,000 year old ledge, archaeologists have been unearthing remnants of their civilization for a number of years now.  Visitors can explore the massive Rockshelter and the recreated 19th century Ohio Valley village.  New this year, visitors can walk along a self-guided trail loop through the woods.  It is open Saturdays from noon until 5 and Sundays from 1 until 5.  More info at their web site or by calling 724.587.3412.

Saturday will have the largest full moon in years, the moon will pass in it’s closest orbit to earth in it’s cycle.  Which will make for a pretty dramatic view of the moon, but hinder the viewing of the meteor shower also passing us tomorrow.  The moon peaks out at us around 8:30 and will be it’s fullest around 11:30.

Sculpturer J Seward Johnson makes life sized and realistic looking sculptures.  His business man, sitting on a bench in New York became iconic when first responders saw him bent over his briefcase covered in white dust on 9/11 and went to aid him.    Fifteen of his sculptures will be spread around Downtown, mainly in the Gateway Center area through August 5.  The are “Out of Sight”, “Allow Me”, “No, Mommy, That One”, ” Far Out”, “Monet, Our Visiting Artist”, “Follow The Leader”, “Taxi”, “Sidewalk Jungle”, “Holding Out”, “Contact”, “Weekend Painter”, “Gotcha”, “Nice to See You”, “Waiting to Cross” and “A Little to the Right”.  Take a walk Downtown and see if you can pick them all out.

Be sure to go out and cheer on the runners on Sunday,

ed

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Tomorrow is Beltane, one of the Greater Sabbats of the Wiccan year, Cambodia was invaded by the US (1970), Siagon fell (1975), Franklin Del Roosevelt had the first televised address to the country (1939), George Washington’s inauguration (1789) and Walpurgis Night, St Walpurgis is the German protectress from the magic arts.

I have a question, are we stupid as a country or is our military out of control?  (I’m a proud vet, I can go here).  We had the scandal at Abu Ghraib in 2006, in February we burned the Koran, Staff Sergeant Bales last month’s accusation of murdering 17 civilians in the middle of the night, including women and children.  An now there’s stuff coming out about troops urinating on dead insurgents.  I admit, I have never been in war, and as I think it was MacArthur said War is Hell.  But when you are in a country that many citizens don’t want you there, don’t you want to live to the higher standard?  What happens on the battle field is one thing.  What happens later in a prison or post fighting on the battle field isn’t the same as in the heat of battle.  Isn’t there sergeants, captains, other mangers around.  I understand Sergeant Bales lost some fellow soldiers because of an IED earlier that day, and I feel real bad for him.  But that’s why I am totally baffled why they burned the Koran.  Why?

The Swiss room was just dedicated on last Sunday, joining the other 29 Nationality Rooms to grace the Cathedral of Learning.  Pitt was founded in 1787 and the rule is nationality rooms have to reflect design prior to that.  So for inspiration, the Swiss room is based on an Abbey built in 1489.  It has four custom trestle tables and 28 stabellen chairs reflecting of the style back then.  Switzerland has many Pittsburgh connections.  The Isaly family was originally from there and was influential in raising funds for the creation of the room, as had Ben Roethlisberger whom has Swiss heritage in his lineage.  The owners of the Priory, the Grafs originally was from there as well.  They donated a hand crafted oven that was central to heating Swiss homes in the 15th century that their ancestors made.  The room has to appear authentic, so modern conveniences have to be disguised.  So they did things like hiding the energy efficient LED lighting behind floral rosettes in the ceiling.  The Swiss room makes a nice addition to the Nationality Rooms.

The Fein Art Gallery, 519 E Ohio Street right here on the Northside has a new exhibit through May 4, Associated Artists Winners Jerome D’Angelo & Linda Van Gehuchten.  Both were winners last fall at the competition at the Society for Contemporary Craft in the Strip.  D’Angelo is fascinated with rectangles and the importance of them visually from art in frames, windows, TV screens, even boxing in fireplaces.  So you see a lot of rectangular influences in his works that incorporate collections of detail that form a single entity suggesting a bigger idea.  He cobbles together bits and pieces of miscellany from everyday life to create his creations.  Van Gehuchten, originally from Venezuela, works with wood pulling out the intimacy of the piece itself.  She does this with various methods of turning the wood, not just round but oval as well and working with veneers and colors.  She does large objects like tables and small works of art that could sit on the table.  Admission is free and the hours are from 11 am – 5 pm Tuesdays through Fridays and Noon to 5 pm Saturday.  More info at Fein’s web site or by calling 412.321.6816.

There’s a new breed of predatory debt collectors, they buy old debts on the premise that they can collect on them with a profit.  These are not a business that’s trying to recoup debts owed to them or even a legitimate debt collection agency for companies that are owed money.  These are companies that’s sole purpose is to buy uncollected debts steeply discounted and try and make money on them.  By nature, they are bottom feeders and use all kinds of unsavory tactics.  They have this system down to a science, they know how to call from California and disguise their number on caller ID so it looks like your state capital, among other tricks.  Diane Mey, from Weirton, was so incensed when a debt collector threaten her with sexual assault if she didn’t pay up on a debt that wasn’t hers that she took Global AG and it’s owners Thai Han, Jim Phelps and Stewrt Phillips to court and won $10M.  It’s fairly easy and free to file a complaint against these people.  Contact the Federal Communications Commission at their web site or by calling 1.888.225.5322.

There was an article in last week’s City Paper about recycling and how terrible those “peanuts” are.  Well, actually they are, but they are very  much reusable.  Any of those public pack and ship companies eagerly accept them.  I keep a trash bag in my basement and whenever something comes in with those peanuts, I dump them in the plastic bag and periodically drop them off at the Fedex/Kinko’s on McKnight Road.  They are very happy to accept them.  I sent Bill O’Driscoll, the writer of the article an e-mail and he said he would change the on-line version to reflect this.

There’s a new restaurant in Beechview that’s getting some pretty good reviews.  (That Betty really knows what neighborhoods to move into, or does the neighborhood change because Betty’s there?  ).  Casa Rasta is at 2102 Beechview Blvd is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am until 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am untl 10 pm and Sundays from noon until 9 pm.  Kind of a walk up with two inside tables and counter and a couple of outside tables, serves a kind of Caribbean/Mexican flavored menu of taqueria, tacos, tostadas, burritos and tortas.  Very fresh and very cheap.  Watch out Mad Mex. 

Have you heard about the vicious malware out there, the ghost virus?  The FBI broke them awhile back, it infected your computer and when you did a search, it sent you to advertisers they were making millions from.  They are in custody, or in jail, I don’t remember what.  The reason for this post is there are many computers out there that are infected and in July the virus is scheduled to kill your hard drive.  They set up a very easy way to see if you are infected.  Visit www.dcwg.org and scroll down just a bit to the link.  If the background is green, you’re cool.  If it’s red, you’re infected and instructions will be down below on options you have.  I just did it, I’m green. 

Grove City College is working it’s way into my heart as my favorite higher education institution.  It’s tuition is $13,598 a year, compared to $28,500 which is the the average tuition according to the College Board.  And they severed Federal subsidies in 1984 over Title IX requiring female sports activities meet the same as male.  This wasn’t about “keeping up with the Jones” in male female sports.  It was about keeping up with bureaucracy.  Grove City actually has more females in sports than males.  But they run their college like a small business.  They plan and build when they have the money, they don’t embark on this massive building campaigns figuring someone will bail them out later.  Like Penn State, Pitt and the other major universities.  Their entering freshmen have an average SAT score of 1244 vs the national average of college freshmen of 1009.  94% of their budget is covered by tuition, room and board.  Maybe their “prestigious” big brothers can learn something from their little sibling.  Maybe Steve Bland at the Port Authority to take up an internship at Grove City College to learn to live within his means and how to run an organization with intelligence instead of “give me more money”.  (I do hope he Googles his name and sees how often I dis him.  Hopefully he won’t send a bus through my Inn).

Well, that’s if for today, enjoy the rest of your Sunday,

ed

Tomorrow is the birth anniversary of James Buchanan (1791), the first movie theater, Koster and Bials Music Hall, opened in New York (1896), the first public school opened in Boston (1635), it is the birth AND death anniversary of William Shakespeare (1564/1616), Max Planck’s birth anniversary (1858-formulator of quantum theory) and it is Shirley Temple Black’s birthday (1928).

Add to Pittsburgh being Gotham City in The Dark Knight Rises, a post-apocalyptic wasteland in The Road, backwoods Kentucky in the TV series Justified and Jody Foster in Silence of the Lambs, we are now going to be the back drop for Producer Chris Moore’s Promised Land staring Matt Damon and John Krasinski (from The Office).  Filming starts on Monday.  The story is about a sales executive, Damon, coming to a small town and questions about the life choises he has made.  And his corporate rival is played by Krasinski.  Moore will be hosting a community screening of The People Speak on April 30 at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont with questions and answers afterward.  The People Speak is a film Point Park University professor Lisa Smith made with Moore that initially brought him to Pittsburgh.  It is based on the work of historian Howard Zinn with contributions by Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Marisa Tomei, Josh Brolin, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.

Anyone that reads my blog, knows I have a fairly low regard for politicians.  I’ve always pretty much held the judiciary in a pretty high regard.  I may strongly disagree with their opinions, but that’s the nature of opinions.  We all have them.  I like to think that they have the education, experience and integrity to render what they honestly think is right.  There’s been a number of national issues that have come up recently with judges that have caught my eye.  And I have been watching the developments with PA Supreme Court Justice Orie-Melvin and using her sister’s staff for campaigning.  And then there’s Common Pleas President Judge Donna Jo McDaniel.  Her daughter, Lindsay Hildenbrand was working as the judge’s executive assistant and mom promoted her to supervisor of jury operations in November (which included a modest increase). Four months later, Hildenbrand received an eleven percent raise.  One of the highest raises in the court system this year.  This is in a court system that is facing a $3.5M deficit this year.  Judge McDaniel’s son-in-law, Brian Quigley received a promotion in January to assistant director of jury operations (he happens to be married to McDaniels other daughter, Jamie).  Brian received an eleven point nine percent raise.  More than 900 union court workers received a three percent raise.  Deputy Court Administrator Claire Capristo stated the chief judge had nothing to do with the raise and that it was appropriate since some of the people reporting to Hildenbrand made more money than she did.  Sorry, that doesn’t fly with me.  That should have been known before the position was offered and accepted.  Even if this is not nepotism, it sure appears as such.  And with a judge!  Come on McDaniel, come out of your ivory tower offices in the prestigious Frick building and join the real world.

Western PA Conservancy was just honored by Charity Navigator by ranking them number seven out of 5,500 charities reviewed.  This was for using 87% of their budget directly in their programs, clear transparency of finances, growth and longevity (they’ve been around 80 years, the oldest Conservancy in Pennsylvania.)  I spoke of the Conservancy just a few blogs ago.  Besides running Fallingwater, they have assisted in establishing 10 state parks, conserved more than 232,00 acres of natural land, protected or restored 1,500 miles of streams and developed science-based inventories of species, their habits and ecosystems.  Coming soon, you will see the sponsorship of The Parador Inn at the Brighton and California Roads intersection parklet.    I’ve spoken of Charity Navigator in the past, they’re the ones that consistently rank Brother’s Brother as a great charity that is very transparent and uses a very small portion of donations for overhead.  You can see what their priorities are by just walking down the street from here and seeing their warehouses and offices.  Nothing to brag about.  I love them.

Is it coincidence or is Jessica Walliser a fan of my blog?  She just wrote a very informative article in the Trib about rain gardens.  In my past blog, I had talked about we need landscapers to take up the challenge of figuring out the details of how to build rain gardens since the city now bans placing roof run off in the sewer system.  The Three Rivers Rain Garden Alliance is a non profit comprising of 12 organizations that advocate rain gardens.  Jim Bonner of the Audubon Society of Western PA (a founding member of our alliance) says that as little as 1/10 to 1/4 of an inch of rainfall can push raw sewerage out of our system into our waterways.  Their web site has a wealth of information on it, such as a calculator that tells you the size of garden you will need to handle your homes rainwater runoff.  They also have recommended native plants that do well in these gardens.  Creating a rain garden costs about the same as creating a regular garden-$3-$5 per square foot.  You can even register your garden on the site.  There currently are 63 gardens registered that absorbs 100,000 gallons of water each time it rains.  Pretty impressive.

Another chapter of one of my favorite charities has closed.  The judge threw out the lawsuit against Greg Mortenson, founder of the Central Asia Institute, for exaggerating in his book Three Cups of Tea.  I don’t care whether he fell off a cliff and was rescued by some Sherpa, I don’t care if he personally had to carry a forty foot iron beam up the Himalayas by himself or if he needed to part the roaring waters of some river to save a kitten.  The work he does is significant and important.  Shame on Sixty Minutes for creating a mountain out of a mole hill to get ratings.

Weather persons, run to the store and get supplies, super snow storm coming this evening.  Feet and feet of snow with a projected low of 34.  Please.  Miserable, but not the end of the world.  Keep warm and dry,

ed

Hi,

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Columbine High School shooting (1999), Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Explosion (2010), it is the birth anniversary of Lionel Hampton (1908) and Adolph Hitler (1889).

The Butler Home Show runs this weekend, April 20, 21 & 22 at the Family Sports Center, Route 68, Connoquenessing.  They have about 100 vendors with seminars and demonstrations on how to DIY projects.  The Pennsylvania Resources Council will celebrate Earth Day by collecting and recycling unwanted cell phones and they will be giving advice on “green” home and lawn care.  Hours are Friday from 4 – 9 pm, Saturday, 10 am until 9 pm and Sunday from 10 am until 5 pm.  Info at their web site.

The Pittsburgh Observatory up in Riverview Park is getting noticed again with a documentary created by local scientist Dan Handley.  This is the debut film by Mr. Handley who has a master’s degree in logic and computation from CMU, a Ph.D in human genetics from Pitt and has studied play writing at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and documentary film making at the Pittsburgh Filmmakers where he is an Artist Member.  Quite the pedigree.  Pittsburgh actor David Conrad narrates the film and Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto was the  executive producer.  Quite the hometown production on a hometown significant institution. The Observatory was initially conceive after the Donati comet of 1858 was seen over Allegheny City by John Brashear and Samuel P Langley.  (Not coincidentally, two of our high schools were named after these men.)  It was built in 1859 and was taken over by Pitt in 1867, who still runs the Observatory.

Dave Sevick is up for the regional Volunteer of the Year award today.  The winner from Western PA will go to Washington, DC for the national Jefferson Award for Public Service.  Dave, a retired nurse from the operating room at Children’s Hospital started ComputeReach in 2001 to take old computers, refurbish them and give them to disadvantaged kids and schools.  Overall, he and his volunteers has refurbished 3,272 computers.  Google recently awarded ComputeReach a $36,000 grant for operations.  70 year old Ms Bizic, a retired librarian from the elementary school his daughters attended nominated him for this award.  Typically, Dave deferred praise to the 160 volunteers that work with him.

Tucked away at William Penn Place and Strawberry Way is the Allegheny Harvard, Yale, Princeton Club.  Built in 1894 as fairly spartan housing for workers, local architect Edward B Lee converted the building into a Georgian Revival in the 1930s (the same time the Knights of Columbus bought The Parador and made my Ballroom).  In 1980, the club started accepting women and in 1987 the eliminated the requirement that you be an alumni from Harvard, Yale or Princeton to join.  The four levels of membership are premium at $1,440, golden triangle at $1,380, suburban at $900 or nonresident $480.  Very cool looking building and very refined service and food inside.

It used to be referred to as “domestic violence”, the CDC has redefined it to “intimate partner violence” to be more inclusive.  It is estimated the thirty percent of women and twenty-five percent of men were subjected to being slapped, pushed or shoved by an intimate partner.  Woman are by far, subjected to the more serious abuses than men.  An Oakland based non profit, Standing Firm has taken on the challenge of educating the work place on signs of abuse and how to handle it.  Employers are frequently the third party able to notice something amiss and in the past the attitude was to “mind one’s own business”.  That is changing, not only is it the right thing to do, but you may save a person’s life.  Working with someone forty hours a week, you become intimate with their habits.  If some habits suddenly change, the person starts changing the way they dress maybe to cover up bruises, etc, if the employee all of a sudden starts having personal phone conversations away from everyone else, these are all warning signs.  Coordinators Susan Nitzberg and Barbara Penner give classes to the 131 member companies and offer managers a free thirty minute phone consultation.

Did you see where Citibank shareholders rebelled against the CEO’s compensation package?  Someone may have read the fine print, the compensation listed on their agenda was an “estimated” $14M where he is actually eligable for up to $55M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And EQT shareholders threw a fit yesterday.  Maybe the 99% are finally making themselves heard.  Here’s a new twist on corporate greed.  Chesapeake Energy’s shares dropped 5% the other day after Reuters announced that CE Aubrey McClendon has taken $1.1BILLION loan against his stake in thousands of company wells.  What, he needs a new car?  Or maybe country.

Baldwin Borough is still fighting with Port Authority to take down signs still posted for bus routes that don’t exist.  And I’m not talking about the slashed routes recently cut.  There are signs still up that are so old and rusted you can’t read them.  There’s also posts still in the ground with nothing on them.  Baldwin has been trying for months to get Port Authority to take these signs down.  They are now talking about having their public works department take them down and then bill Port Authority.

April 21, the PA Resource Council will be holding an e-waste collection in the VIP parking lot on Corrigan Drive (for those of you not familiar, the VIP is the old swimming pool and the parking lot is the one between that catering venue and the ice rink).  Hours are from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  There’s a small fee for fluorescent lights, ink cartriges, batteries, etc.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.488.7490 ext 236.  The next collection will be May 12 at Steel City Harley-Davidson, 1375 Washington Road, Little Washington, same hours.

That’s about it for today.  Enjoy tomorrow, because Saturday’s supposed to be pretty rainy,

ed

Hi,

Obviously, today is Friday the 13th, bee careful.    Tomorrow is the anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1865), Anne Sullivan’s birth anniversary (1866-Helen Keller’s teacher), Grapes of Wrath were published (1939), the first dictionary of American English (1828) and President Taft started the tradition of the President throwing the first baseball of the season (1910).

So what do you think of this sign?

Betty moved into a senior apartment last year run by the Catholic Church.  It’s independent living and the lady that runs the place, Sister Pat, is kind of tough with the residents.  And I can understand it, having sixty to a hundred seniors could be kind of challenging I’m sure.  When I drove up to visit with Betty a couple of weeks ago and saw that new sign in the parking lot, I did a double take.  When I looked closer, the sign doesn’t say the building is guarded with a gun, but by security cameras.  But first impression when you look at that sign, it sure looks like a gun.  I could envision Sister Pat with a Clock strapped to her hip. 

Tom Wilson, 1931-2011, was originally from Grant Town in West Virginia and graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  Heas the creator of Ziggy, that cartoon icon that always has a positive attitude was first published in 1971.  To honor Mr. Wilson, The Art Institute is featuring an exhibit, Ziggy: An Island of Humor in a Sea of Trouble in their lobby through this Saturday, April 14.  Admission is free and it is open 9 – 5 today, Friday and 9 am until 4 pm. Saturday.  The exhibit contains over three dozen original drawings and a half dozen Ziggy inspired artwork by local artists.  The Institute is located at420 Boulevard of the Allies, Downtown.  More info by calling 412.291.6200.

By price:

Carnevale Di Venezia by the Allegheny General Hospital Auxiliary Gala is o$250 – $300 April 14 at the Carnegie Music Hall Foyer in Oakland.  Black ties optional, masks encourages is the word on this sold-out fund raiser.  Grammy Award winning opera tenor Gary Lakes will serenade the guests.  Info at 412.359.3369.

PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Lunch $225, May 5 at Frick Park, Squirrel Hill is in it’s 14th year and has raised over $5M for the Pittsburgh parks system.  The Kentucky Derby may dominate fashion and mint juleps a little south of us, but this affair has all the boaters, bonnets and bowlers in Pittsburgh.  More info at their web site.

A Night in the Woods, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is $125 on June 23 at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel.  Proceeds of this soiree benefits the Shannon’s Camp Fund that helps send underprivileged children in Western Pennsylvania to summer camps.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.963.6100.

Full Bloom Summer Dance Party-Kelly Strayhorn Theater is $40 to $125 and being held on June 2 outside The Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty.  Fireworks and dancing in the streets until late at night are a few of the activities.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.441.1576.

Let Them Eat Cake!  The Midwife Center is $45 – $75 on May 19 at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters on Penn Avenue in the Strip.  Professional and amateur bakers will ensure all sweet teeth are taken care of.  This is their 30th anniversary.  More info at their web site or by calling 412.321.6884.

Rivers of Steel, the steel industry historical society, is seeking volunteers to be tour guides at The Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.  This is the Carrie Blast Furnace in Rankin that they’re turning into a museum.  Operated by US Steel until 1980 as part of the Homestead Works, the site has an ore yard, car dumper, blowing house, not stoves and cast house.  Also located there is the Deer Head, a sculpture completed by artists after the furnace closed down.  More info at their web site or by calling Sherris Moreiraat 412.464.4020 extension 46.

The Southside Brew House Association’s Distillery Program has brought together a diverse group of artists for  their sixth annual art show.  The Brew House Space 101 Gallery is open from 6 – 9 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, and noon until 6 pm Saturdays.  The show, called The End will have an open reception today Friday, from 6 – 9 with an artist who’s work is displayed.  There will also be meet and greet with artists featured on May 1 and 3.  More info at their web presence or by calling 412.381.7767.

You Don’t Know Dick is coming to The New Hazlett Theatre both this coming Monday and Tuesday at 8 pm.  Caravan Theatre of Pittsburgh will be presenting insights into the life of Philip K Dick, famous for blurring the boundaries between perception and reality.  He wrote Blade Runner, Minority Report and The Adjustment Bureau.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.  More details at the Hazlett‘s web site, showclix site or by calling 412.320.4610.

Gestures: Intimate Friction is the new exhibit at the Mattress Factory Annex through November 30.  One local artist, Dee Briggs, created a series of periscopes around the outside of the building so you can get glimpses on what’s inside.  The inspiration for this was a number of years ago, Dee was invited to a friend’s opening at the Mattress Factory and brought her two nine year olds and was surprised at the $27 cost for them to enter.  So she wanted to offer sort of a free admittance.  Architect/artist Jeremy Ficca took a section of plywood floor up and then took similar size pieces of plywood, cut slits in them so he could mold them to look like they are flying over the hole in the floor.  Speaking of holes, Nina Marie Barbuto’s Glory Holes are cut outs that expose the interior of the room she was assigned.  Finally, architect/artist Matt Huber also cut holes into his assigned room so you can see his creation, since he drywalled the doorway so you can’t enter.  In the room, he built an enclosed environment with newspaper he hung on string creating a matrix and then pieces of newspaper have been affixed to the walls creating a well-lit jewel box.  Hours are 10 am until 5 pm. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 – 5 pm Sundays.  More info at the Mattress Factory website or by calling 412.231.3169.  $12 admission includes the Mattress Factory proper as well as the Annex.

I know I don’t normally talk about bands, but a group playing at Mr. Smalls tomorrow caught my attention with their name:  Trampled by Turtles.  I love that name. 

OK, just so someone doesn’t send a mental health professional over to see me, here’s my whining for this post.  Bank NY Mellon had a shareholders meeting here this week.  The officials ran into protesting shareholders (one was escorted out of the meeting by security)     The shareholders are upset that Bank NY Mellon is being investigated for ripping off pension funds on foreign currency transactions.  Also, they seem pretty concerned about the bank paying “bloated salaries to executives and not paying it’s fair share of taxes.”  We need more shareholders like that.

Have a wonderful weekend,

ed

Hi,

Obviously tomorrow is Easter Sunday, it is the anniversary of Hank Aaron setting the home run record (715 in 1974), it is the anniversary of President Truman seizing the steel millers because of a strike that the district court ruled as illegal (1952), the last poll tax was abolished in Mississippi (1966-prior to that, some places you had to pay to vote) and the 17th Amendment was passed (1913).

I read a book I learn something from and then I read a mindless novel.  My current brainiac book is The Quest by Daniel Yergin (he go a Pulitzer for The Prize).  The book is about world politics and energy, in particular oil.  It not only is very informative, it’s not overly dry as some of these books can be.  It has about six zillion pages and I won’t finish it for a year or two, but I am enjoying it.  Something I found noteworthy was in the Gulf of Mexico, there are three thousand drilling platforms and twenty-two thousand miles undersea pipelines.  In 2005 when Katrina and then Rita slammed through there, 115 platforms were destroyed (these were the pre-Miami-Dade Standards set after Andrew), 52 platforms were damaged and five-hundred thirty-five miles of pipeline were damaged. “Yet so effective were the environmental containment measures that the offshore production facilities did not leak.”  Pretty amazing, we can do it if we want.

The Bread and Puppet Theater will be presenting four pieces from The Republic of Cardboard Monday at the Brew House on the Southside at 7:30.  Founded in 1963, this self-sustaining nonprofit from New York’s Lower East Side will be presenting four pieces related to their association with the Occupy movement – a depressed citizenry’s uprising against a culture that pretends but fails to serve it’s urgent needs.  That this is being presented at the Brew House is an added bonus.  If you don’t know, the Brew House is an artist’s enclave in the old Duquesne Brewery off Jane Street.  The artists squatted in the empty building years ago and eventually took control of it and turned it into loft/working studio units.  Rich Bach, the metal sculpture that did my Aztec calendar has a place there.  He’s the artist that has done all of the metal sculptures for the Mad Mex restaurant group.  There is no admission for this event, but they will be asking for a donation after the event.

Pittsburgh’s own Brian McGreevy has released his first book Hemlock Grove (actually, Brian’s from Charleroi and currently resides in Los Angeles and works as a screen writer).  This literary novel has as the subject a werewolf.  With the popularity of the Sci Fi and BBC versions of Being Human and the smash success of the Twilight series, I’d say Brian’s right on time.  Netflix secured an option for a television version being filmed here in Pittsburgh starting in June with Brian doing the screenplay.

Three River’s Art’s Festival starts in just over a month.  The music line up has been announced, opening with The Wailers on Friday (June1), Kathleen Edwards on Saturday (June 2), The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Sunday (June 3), The Dawes Band Tuesday (June 5), Ed Menzer and da Boiz Wednesday (just kidding, checking to see if you are still awake), the Carolina Chocolate Drops on Friday (June 8), Saturday (June 9) will be the Bluegrass day featuring Del McCoury, Peter Rowan and Greensky, finally, closing on Sunday will be Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers.

One of my favorite contests is over and the Trib has announced the winners of this year’s Peeps Contest.  The Peep Crown goes AGAIN to Green Tree resident Nancy Becker with “The Peeps” a take off on Alfred Hitchcok’s The Birds.  Last year Kathleen did a take off on Hitchcok’s Psycho.  Also this year were entries I’m Sticky and I Know It, Jurassic Peeps, Hoarder, Buried Alive and Auroral Bunnyalis.  Too funny.  The Trib doesn’t have today’s article posted with the winners, so follow this link for a bunch of the contestants, I think my favorite was Night of the Living Peeps or Brunner Pass.    When you follow the link, click on the Icon Photo Gallery.

I’ve been meaning to replace the light fixture in Ruellia’s stairway for awhile now.  I had guests checking in yesterday and so I hurried up (see a problem here?) and went to install the new fixture yesterday.  Here’s what happened to the ladder when I fell down the stairs:

The bottom of the ladder is what my right thumb feels like.  ):  In my defense, I have one of those triangle things you place on steps when you need to put a ladder on the stairs.  But Ruellia’s stairs are steeper and more narrow than it is designed for.  So after wobbling around for awhile, ruining a ladder and spraining my thumb, I piled block and pieces of wood to secure the ladder.  The light is successfully installed and the guests are happy.

Not surprising banking fees are going up again locally it seems Citizens Bank is the greediest of them all.  The are starting to charge $15 monthly fee if you don’t keep a $5k balance, they are going to charge you $3.95 if you tie Quick Books to you account and $8.95 for bill pay for their Circle Checking account.  They are raising their Green Checking account fees to $9.99 from $4.99, checking with interest will go up to $11.99 from $9.99 if you don’t keep their minimum balance.  The Quick Books and bill pay fees are really inane.  That is a major saving on labor for the banks, they’re just hoping you’ll stay and pay.  Seriously, go to Slovak Savings Bank (they have checking and loans also), they really don’t have fees.  I have my personal checking account there, no fees.  I have my business account there, no fees.  I have Betty’s “slush fund” (the money the kids have in there for her incase of an emergency) and it made $40 last month interest, no fees.  There’s only the one branch up on California Avenue and they don’t even have an ATM machine.  So they just put the fees other banks charge you for using their ATMs back in you account.  I love those people so much, that I usually wait to use an ATM that doesn’t charge a fee like Allegheny Valley Bank up on McKnight Road.

Have a great holiday tomorrow and don’t forget, always eat the ears first ,

ed

Hi,

Obviously, tomorrow is All Fools Day, also the anniversary of the first large bridge built over the Neponset River in 1634, Lon Chaney’s birth anniversary (1883), cigarette advertising was banned in 1970, William Harvey’s birth anniversary (1578-he was the first to discover the mechanics of blood flow), Iran commemorates the approval of their Islamic constitution, and the US Air Force Academy was established in 1954.

The Whole Foods store on Perry Highway in McCandless is now scheduled to open in May.  They’ve had several planning and land-use issue that needed to be cleared up that caused the delay in opening.  This 33,000 square foot store will be in the Wexford Plaza.

What’s up with Penn Hills High School?  They expelled a student for having school issued blunt scissors in his backpack.  The administration was changing it from a three day suspension to a week before they decided enough was enough.

Gallery 709 Penn Avenue is featuring Caravan:Paintings by Melissa Kuntz.  This chair of Clarion University’s art department uses the mid twentieth century style known as precision ism, in which the real world is transcribed into flat planes of cool color and solid, sometimes overwhelming shapes.  This works great with her subject matter, old time RV’s and classic mid century signs.  I love that retro 50′s and 60′s look.  (Don’t get nervous, even though I love it, I won’t be working it into The Parador).    The Ohio River Antique Mall on route 65 is a frequent stop of mine and they have a room dedicated to Formica tables, vinyl covered chairs, lava lamps, etc.  I always check it out.  The gallery is open 11 a. until 6 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. until 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays and 11 am until 5 Sundays.  More info at Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, there web site or 412.456.6666.

I plead guilty.  I was pulled over by a Virginia State Trooper for going 80 mph in a 70 mph zone.  Mildly in my defense, it was five in the morning and it was just me and the big truckers on I77, but I was wrong-I admit it.  That is my first moving violation in years.  Since then, I have received five solicitations from different Virginia attorneys.  I called them all and they all had the same spiel.  They could get my moving violation down graded to an equipment malfunction violation.  I had nothing wrong with my car.  I admitted to them and the officer that I was speeding.  The law firms all say it doesn’t matter.  They will keep me from getting the four points.  All five attorneys charge a $135 fee and the traffic ticket goes up from $121 to $189.  What a racket.  The attorney’s have easy money and the state of Virginia gets an extra $68 in ticket fees.  Yes, I’m guilty twice, because I went for the non moving violation. 

As I’ve said, I’m getting addicted to Mexico’s Day of the Dead.  This is a blend of the Mayan festival celebrating past loved ones and the Spanish/Catholic All Souls Day.  Mary J Andrade wrote several books on Dia de los Muertos and I ordered one on line.  I waited and waited and then sent her an E-mail asking about it.  She asked where I had ordered it and I forwarded my confirmation.  She told me she would mail it the next day.  When it arrived, there were two books.  She sent another book of hers because she felt bad about the mix up.  I love businesses doing “the right thing.”  By the way, I’m looking for a book with a lot of images of Dia de los Muertos art.  Mary’s book has great pictures and narrative, but very few pictures of the artwork famous for this holiday.

Speaking of doing the right thing, that contractor that cemented my Veranda bid the work to include a footer.  When they did the demo, they found a footer right where it should be.  So Rich DiBucci pointed that out (many contractors would pretend they didn’t see it and try and get away with the original bid).  He offered to reduce the bid, add the flagstone accents or other options we may have.  I love businesses doing “the right thing”.  If I double book a room and have to have a guest move, I take care of it.  If there’s no water because of a main break, I take care of their bill.

I’ve complained about big oil and the record profits they consistently post year after year.  We’re talking PROFITS in the BILLIONS of dollars.  The senate just blocked an effort by the Obama administration to cancel their tax breaks by a 51 – 47 vote.  I just spent time on line trying to find out which senators voted against this effort to no avail.  I don’t know if it’s too early for the votes to be published or if it’s part of them somehow hiding the shameful thing they did.  If any of you fine the roll call and see how our Pennsylvania senators voted, please let me know.  I would love to publish their names and I definitely would never vote for those persons again.

Kayak Pittsburgh, a division of Venture Outdoors is adding kayak and bike rentals at the Millvale Riverfront Park (It already rents these at North Park and under the 6th Street Bridge, here on the Northside).  Starting May 26, from 11 a.m. until dusk weekdays (an hour earlier on weekends) single kayaks will be $15 an hour, double kayaks $20 and $8 for bicycles.

For those of you out in Westmoreland County, Westmoreland Cleanways are offering a backyard composting workshop at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at St Vincent College on April 14 from 10 am until noon.  Also from 9 am until 11:30 am on May 12 at Oak Hollow Park in North Huntingdon and June 9 at the Westmoreland Conservation District headquarters on Donohoe Road in Greensburg.  Cost is $10.  Registration deadline is one week prior to each workshop, or until it is filled.  More info at their web site or by calling 724.836.4129.  By the way, my composting turned out great this year.  As I compost throughout the year, I don’t get much heat in my bin.  It’s fairly warm down deep, but no heat anywhere close to the surface.  I understand that if you can get more heat, it breaks everything down quicker.  If anyone has a suggestion, let me know.  The bottom line, my gardens are happy.  Two years ago, it was the sea oats that tried taking my gardens over.  That spring I had tons of seedlings I had to weed before spreading my compost and then remulching.  (I got rid of the sea oats).  This year it was the scallions.  And they were a real PIA.  The seedlings’ stalk gets real thin before the bulb.  So it took a concerted effort to dig them up.  This year I’m going with container herbs. 

The above picture shows the newly planted elephant ears.  As usual, I had a lot of extra elephant ear tubers.  So I put them in cardboard boxes on my front steps with a sign “Free Elephant Ears” and they were gone in the morning.  This year I had to divide the maiden hair grasses by the water feature (I need to do this every three years) and did the same thing.  They also were gone in the morning.

The above picture is the scene of the scallion carnage   Also, missing are the pygmy bamboo.  There are two types of bamboo, trailers and bunchers.  The bunchers are non invasive, they grow outward in a bunch.  The trailers grow by sending their roots out and new bamboo sprout everywhere from their roots.  I had the pygmies in five gallon containers buried in the garden.  They escaped from the containers, so before they got out of hand, I removed them.  I pulled the pygmy bamboo out yesterday and put them on my front step.  They are still there this morning.  I don’t know if the rain last night kept people in, or if others are scared of the bamboo also.

And finally the beach.

The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has a series of tours.  The first is a bus tour on April 14 of Glenshaw highlighting the recently renovated 1883 Isaac Lightner House with summer kitchen and spring house, the 1885 Glenshaw Presbyterian Church, the public library and the 127 year old former train station turned private home, the Joseph L Kirk house (I think he was James Kirk’s grandfather ).  Future tours are May 5 Historic Waynesburg Bus Tour, the May 19 Modernism Downtown Walking Tour, the June 24 Shadyside Walking Tour, the September 8 Dormont Walking Tour, the September 15 Behind the Scenes Heinz History Center Tour and finally the October 20 tour will be the Brierly/Berndtson House Tour.  More info at their web site or by calling Mary Lu at 412.471.5808, ext 527.

Finally, Pittsburgh is getting the compressed natural gas vehicle, the Honda Civic Natural Gas (formerly called the Civi GX).  Washington Honda will be carrying them starting later this spring.  This vehicle has been around since 1989 and is mainly used as a commercial fleet vehicle.  It is expected to cost about $26k as compared to the regular Civic’s price of $20k.  At $1.85 per gallon equivalent (compare to gasoline I saw today at $3.99 on McKnight Road), it may be a wise investment.  The Natural Gas version gets similar mileage (38 mpg vs 39 mpg).  There’s already an EQT station on Smallman in the Strip and at Giant Eagle in Crafton.  Waste Management is building a station out in Chartiers.  So the stations are slowly coming around.

Well, that’s about it for today,

ed