March 16, 2006

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3E Links Distribution

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EVENTS (Click on Links)

·        Protecting Public Drinking Water: Source Water Protection Solutions

·        Getting to TRID-Understanding the Planning and Implementation of Act 238 of 2004

·        Emergency Management: Roles and Responsibilities for Elected Officials

·        3rd Annual March for Parks

·        Regional Forum Series Coming Together To Revitalize Our Communities: Cross-Community  and Cross-County Collaboration

·        The State of Our Air in 2006: A Law and Policy Update For Southwestern Pennsylvania

·        2006 City County Town Meeting

·        Health and Environment in the Valley

·        Banff Film Festival

·        Green$ense 2006

·        Sierra Club Earth Day Festival

·        Champions of Sustainability  "Transportation - The Key to a Prosperous Future"

·        6th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference

LAND USE NEWS AROUND THE REGION

·        Council considers redistricting O'Hara

·        Councilman urges sidewalks for new development

RESOURCES

·        Leaders discuss region's future

·        DEP Seeks Members for Environmental Justice Advisory Board

·        Listen to PA House Hearing on Mercury – Penn Future Podcast

·        EU ministers endorse New Energy Policy for Europe

·        Onorato appoints panel to develop transit plan

·        Group drops plan for Turkish cultural center in South Park

·        New report on aging Americans hints at future highs, lows

·        Communities see potential on the waterfront

·        Youth: The Amenity Next Door: Some well-off people want affordable housing on their block

·        Community Threads - Nonprofit Sector of SWPA Leading the Region's Next Renaissance

EVENTS

 

Protecting Public Drinking Water: Source Water Protection Solutions

 

Tuesday, March 21

12 pm - 4:30 pm

Penn State Conference Hotel

215 Innovation Blvd , Research Park State College , PA 16803  

www.drinkingwaterwise.org; Julie 267-468-0555 or juliek@voicenet.com

 

Interested in what can be done to protect your community’s drinking water, and therefore your health? Looking for ways to fend off increased costs of water treatment? You are invited to a free informative workshop to help drinking water suppliers, municipal officials, watershed groups, planners, and residents find out how to safeguard their sources of drinking water. Protection of existing sources of water is the most cost-effective way to protect public health and control treatment costs, and recommended as an integral part of the multiple barrier approach.

 

Co-Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania , Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA), PA Section American Water Works Association, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State College of Agriculture Sciences

 

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Getting to TRID - Understanding the Planning and Implementation of Act 238 of 2004

 

Wednesday, March 22

12:30 pm – 4 pm

Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh

100 Mall Boulevard

Monroeville , PA 15146

(412) 373-7300

 

Workshop on Understanding the Planning and Implementation of Act 238 of 2004.

Cost: $25 ($20 for members of PSAT)

Contact: (717)763-0930 or www.psats.org

 

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Emergency Management: Roles and Responsibilities for Elected Officials

 

Thursday, March 23

6:30 pm- 9 pm

Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services

400 N. Lexington Street

Point Breeze , PA 15208

(412)237-3171

www.localgovernmentacademy.org

 

This program will provide a reinforced understanding of the role Elected Officials play in emergency preparedness with their communities. The responsibilities of Elected Officials to establish an Emergency Management Organization will also be addressed. Included in this program is a tour of the Allegheny County Emergency Services / 9-1-1 Facility. Program is free of charge to all members of the Newly Elected Officials Course Alumni Association.

 

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3rd Annual March for Parks

 

Saturday, March 25

Twin Lakes Park

Westmoreland County

724-830-3950

Register: http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=620021

 

Saturday, March 25, 2006 marks a great chance for teams and individuals to march for a greener Westmoreland County . The place is Twin Lakes Park , where people from all over the county will gather to participate in the March For Parks in support of expanding and enhancing parks and recreation opportunities in the county. The event is presented by the Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board, and sponsored in part by Dr. Nicholas Senuta and Associates.

 

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Regional Forum Series Coming Together To Revitalize Our Communities: Cross-Community  and Cross-County Collaboration

 

Thursday, March 23

6 - 8 pm

Human Services Center

519 Penn Ave.

Turtle Creek, Allegheny County

Hosted by Human Services Center , home of Mon Valley Providers Council

 

Friday, March 31

9 – 11:30 am

Community College of Beaver County

1 Campus Drive

Monaca, Beaver County          

Hosted by Community College of Beaver County

 

Monday, April 10

6 – 8 pm

Hill House       

1835 Centre Ave.

Pittsburgh

Hosted by Hill House Association

 

Thursday, April 20

6 - 8 pm

Salem Lutheran Church          

301 East Pittsburgh Street ,

Delmont, Westmoreland County          

Hosted by Blairsville Improvement Group and Vandergrift Improvement Project

 

No Fee to Attend

Register: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org subject “Regional Forums” or phone 412-258-6644

 

Building toward the May 19, 2006 Smart Growth Conference, a series of regional forums will be held to identify a focused set of broadly supported policies to revitalize the region's core communities as regional economic assets.

 

These forums are designed to do the following:

 

·         Serve as an opportunity for public input to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's updating of the long range transportation and development plan "Project Region."

·         Consider community needs and identify common barriers as well as opportunities for sustainable redevelopment.

·         Build on existing efforts to provide technical assistance to develop a resource network for sustainable redevelopment.  Attending     each forum will be resource/technical assistance partners who will be ready to follow-up.

·         Review a set of currently emerging state and regional policy options and assess their match to local needs.

·         Enhance understanding of our communities’ interdependence.

·         Demonstrate that the needs of individual communities are often mutually shared across the region.

·         Grow consensus on a focused set of public policy solutions and collaborations for their implementation to renew SWPA.

 

The forums are hosted by the Regional Coalition of Community Builders, PA Department of Economic Development, Sustainable Pittsburgh , University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, and Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

 

To register for this and/or other upcoming forums, either email info@sustainablepittsburgh.org or telephone 412-258-6644.

Please continue to check your 3E Links e-news service for forums scheduled in your region.

 

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The State of Our Air in 2006: A Law and Policy Update For Southwestern Pennsylvania

 

Friday, March 24

8 am - 3:15pm

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Teplitz Memorial Courtroom, Ground Floor
http://www.gasp-pgh.org/events/PJEPHL_Brochure.pdf

 

After taking a look back at the history of air quality in our region, distinguished speakers Joel A. Tarr, Paul M. King, William V. Luneburg, Dr. Bernard Goldstein, the Honorable Michael L. Krancer, Kenneth Bowman and Rachel Filippini will address current pollution issues in southwestern Pennsylvania and their resulting impacts on health.  The Symposium will feature scholarly presentations and commentary of speakers from all sectors of the law including academia, government, and public interest groups.  The program is designed to appeal to lawyers and non-lawyers; to academics and practitioners; to those interested in environmental issues; and to those interested in public health. 

 

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2006 City County Town Meeting

 

Thursday, March 30

11:45 am

Point Park University Ballroom

201 Wood St. (enter from Blvd. of the Allies or Third Ave. )

Cost: $25

RSVP March 27

Info: 412-261-4284

 

The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh cordially invites you to attend the 2006 City County Town Meeting where Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato will host a lunch-time presentation on city and county sharing, consolidating, or merging.

 

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Health and Environment in the Valley

 

Saturday, April 8, 2006

1 pm – 5 pm

Penn State - New Kensington , Forum Theatre

Registration is FREE.   Reservations: 724-226-9996

http://www.gasp-pgh.org/events/april2006healthforum.pdf

 

Keynote speakers Ellen Dorsey, Director of Environmental Issues at the Heinz Foundation will speak on “"Taking Precautions: Understanding the Connection Between the Environment and Health"  Workships include ”Is Cancer in Your Genes?" from- Dr. Maryann Donovan, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Center for Environmental Oncology; "Why We Can't Eat Our Fish?  What's in Our Water?" from Dr. Patricia Eagon, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Center for Environmental Oncology and "Everyday Exposures in the Valley" taught by - Rachel Filippini, Executive Director, Group Against Smog and Pollution and- Vivienne Shaffer, Ed. Consultant, Rachel Carson Homestead.  Act 48 Educational Credits are available and refreshments will be provided.

 

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Banff Film Festival

 

Thursday, April 13 – Friday, April 14

7 pm

Byham Theatre

Downtown Pittsburgh

Advance tickets: $8 Venture Outdoors Members, $10 Non-Members

Both Nights: $12 VO Members, $15 Non-members

At the Door: $10 VO members, $12 Non Members

Call 412-255-0564 for advanced tickets

www.ventureoutdoors.org

 

Prescreening Party:

Thursday, April 13

5 – 7 pm

Location TBD

Advance tickets only: $50 single, $85 for two

 

Each night of the Banff Festival will have a different set of films.  For a complete listing, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org.  Additional support comes from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and WYEP 91.3 fm.  Considering joining Venture Outdoors for the prescreening party, the price of which includes hors d’oeuvres, drinks, tickets, and reserved seating.

 

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Green$ense 2006

 

Thursday, April 20 – Friday, April 21

David Lawrence Convention Center

Downtown Pittsburgh

www.gbapgh.org/Green$ense2006.asp

 

The Green Building Alliance (GBA) and National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP) have teamed up to host Green$ense 2006. This third annual conference, which is geared towards decision-makers, strongly supports its theme: A Smart Way to Build Profits! A two-day multi-session event, Green$ense features expert business and development leaders who will reveal proven strategies and techniques to maximize building performance and ways to differentiate your properties in the marketplace. Come and learn all about the green development process, and start down the road to a better bottom line.

 

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Sierra Club Earth Day Festival

 

Saturday, April 22

Festival and Rally: 11 am-12:30 pm

Educational Neighborhood Walk: 12:30 pm -3 pm

Rhododendron Shelter, Highland Park

(on Lake Drive – directions below)

For more information, contact Rachel Martin at 412-802-6161 or rachel.martin@sierraclub.org

http://www.sierraclub.org/community/pittsburgh

 

Join the Sierra Club on Saturday, April 22 for music, speakers, kids’ activites, information from local environmental groups, food, and prizes!  Learn about energy, global warming, and other environmental issues, and then take action to educate area residents about what we can do to protect our families’ health and safety, and care for the Earth.

 

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Champions of Sustainability  "Transportation - The Key to a Prosperous Future"

 

Friday, April 28

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Omni William Penn Hotel, downtown Pittsburgh

Keynote:  Anne Canby, president of the national Surface Transportation Policy Project www.transact.org

9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Transportation Update session

No fee to attend; please register today as seating is limited

To register, call (412) 258-6642 or email info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

 

Anne Canby, president of the national Surface Transportation Policy Project will address the critical role of transportation to the economic vitality of regions as well as its importance to redeveloping communities and social equity.  She'll conclude introducing a reaction panel of local leaders who will discuss what's at stake given the window of time for the Governor's Transportation Finance and Reform Commission to make recommendations for long-term reliable funding solutions to address the on-going transportation funding crisis. 

 

Following the Champs forum, the public is also invited to attend a transportation update session. This will include introduction to the 2006 Transportation Funding Initiative to be held in the same location from 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (See http://www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/TLC/transportation_reform_and_funding_commission_testimony_01_26_06.htm).  Anne Canby will provide an update on the new federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) and update will be provided on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's progress on the region's Transportation Improvement Program and Long Range Transportation and Development Plan (Project Region).

 

Champions of Sustainability is supported by The Mellon Financial Corporation and The Heinz Endowments.  Media partner WDUQ 90.5 FM

 

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6th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference

 

Coming Together to Revitalize Our Communities: RenewSWPA Cross-Community and Cross County Collaboration

Friday, May 19

7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh

Keynote: David Soule, Associate Director

Center for Urban & Regional Policy, Northeastern University

Cost: Early Registration: $30.  Registration after May 12: $40 (free to elected officials)

Call (412) 258-6642 for early registration

http://www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/2006_Conference/main.htm

 

The 2006 SWPA Smart Growth Conference will address strategies to revitalize the region's core communities and seek to identify a set of policy opportunities around which there is consensus for collaboration. 

 

Leading up to the conference, a series of community forums will be orchestrated around the region to identify common barriers and opportunities to redevelopment.  Common needs and policy options identified through the forums will be presented at the annual conference toward developing consensus on policies to renew Southwestern Pennsylvania .  Also considered will be ideas and next steps for coordinated technical assistance and sharing of best practices.  

 

Please mark your calendars for May 19 and register today.

 

The annual Smart Growth conference and regional forums are hosted by, Pennsylvania Department of County and Economic Development, Regional Coalition of Community Builders, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission,  Sustainable Pittsburgh , and the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics.

 

Purchase Table Display Space during the 6th Annual 2006 Smart Growth Conference

Cost: $150 for shared table space/ $225 for a whole table

 

Contact: (412) 258-6646 or info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

             

 

For the first time ever Sustainable Pittsburgh invites organizations, planning consultants, developers, banks, CPA firms, service providers and others to purchase exhibit space at the 6th Annual 2006 Smart Growth Conference: Coming Together to Revitalize Our Communities: Cross-community and Cross-County Collaboration on May 19, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the beautiful Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.

 

This is a prime opportunity to show your product to 250 - 300 targeted community leaders, public officials, city and county planners, community development organizations, and many, many more! Please call (412) 258-6646 to reserve your table space.

 

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LAND USE NEWS AROUND THE REGION

 

Council considers redistricting O'Hara

 

O'Hara Council may consider redistricting the township to accommodate for recent development along the riverfront.

 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_432369.html

 

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Councilman urges sidewalks for new development

 

Many people apparently don't realize the white line on the outside of each lane marks the area set aside for pedestrians, Boynton said. The councilman has proposed an ordinance that would require all new development in the borough to include sidewalks.

 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_430808.html

 

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RESOURCES

 

Leaders discuss region's future

 

Good schools and jobs to attract and keep people here top the region's priorities, a group of nonprofit, business and government leaders meeting in Pittsburgh said Tuesday.

 

About 1,100 people prepared a list of priorities as part of the 2006 Nonprofit Summit at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center , Downtown. Nonprofit leaders will use the results to boost their voice with business and government leaders in developing the region's next renaissance.

 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_430975.html

 

Read the report:  http://gwpa2.org/NPSummitPrelimReport06.pdf

 

Participant list:  http://gwpa2.org/NPS06Participant%20Roster.pdf

 

The 2006 Nonprofit Summit Participant Guide: http://gwpa2.org/NPSummit_GUIDE_2006.pdf

 

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DEP Seeks Members for Environmental Justice Advisory Board

 

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking candidates to join the Environmental Justice Advisory Board. The board’s mission is to ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all commonwealth residents regardless of race, color, national origin or income in the environmental decision-making process.  Appointments are for two-year terms.

 

Interested candidates should send their resumes to Director Ayanna King, Office of Environmental Advocate, via e-mail (ayking@state.pa.us) or fax (717-772-5996).  For more information about the Office of Environmental Advocate, visit the DEP’s Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us , Keyword: “Environmental Justice.”

 

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