130 Endorsers in 11 Days!

 

 

April 13, 2006

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3E Links Distribution

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EVENTS (Click on Links)

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

·        Rachel Carson Bridge Dedication

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

·        Nonprofit Speed Dating

·        Consumer Health Coalition Spring Meeting

·        Public Visioning Workshop for the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan.

·        The University of Michigan’s Approach to Community Service and Learning

·        6th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference

·        Pedal Pittsburgh 2006

RESOURCES

·        Purchase table display space at the 6th Annual 2006 Smart Growth Conference

·        Walkable communities come with a few curves in design

·        Sustainable Dream Jobs

·        Ohio River quality reductions considered

·        Allegheny Co. Comp. Plan Steering Committee Meeting March 29, 2006 Powerpoint (Trend Scenario vs. Alternate Themes as to what the County could look like in 20 years)

·        Allegheny County Housing and Socio-Demographic Trends - December 2005

·        Allegheny County Economic Trends - December 2005

·        Save Energy Now Partnerships to Accelerate Industrial Energy Efficiency

·        California Governor, Legislature Take Aim at Climate Change

·        Childhood obesity on the rise

·        Nike, HP Win Top Honors in Ceres/ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards

·        Governor Rendell Making Small Wind Energy Systems Available to Local Governments

·        Penn Future Podcast: Taking Action Locally to Reduce Global Warming

EVENTS

 

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

 

Wednesday, April 19

6 – 8 pm

Corporate Training Center

Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

Hosted by Fayette County Human Service Council, Fayette County Community Health Improvement Partnership, and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus

 

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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Rachel Carson Bridge Dedication

 

Saturday, April 22

11 am

Ninth St. and Fort Duquesne Blvd.

Downtown Pittsburgh

Info: carsonhomestead@verizon.net; 724-274-5459

 

Join Allegheny County , Chatham College , and the Rachel Carson Homestead for the dedication of the Rachel Carson Bridge

 

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

 

Friday, April 28

8 am - 9:30 am

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; but you must be registered in advance

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.   A local reaction panel will follow.  Panel members are:  Micelle L. Mixell, AICP; Mary Jo Morandini, Beaver County Transit Authority; and Richard C. Feder, AICP, Port Authority.

 

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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Nonprofit Speed Dating

 

Monday, May 1

1-4 pm

Human Service Building

One Smithfield St .

RSVP: Ondrea Burton oburton@dhs.county.allegheny.pa.us 412-350-3683

Info: http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/dhs/speeddating.html

 

This innovative event is the first of several initiatives resulting from the highly successful Grantmakers of Western PA 2006 Nonprofit Summit held on March 7, 2006 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center . The objective is to maintain the energy from the summit, provide participants with the opportunity to network collaborate, build lasting professional relationships, and ultimately increase their visibility.

 

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Consumer Health Coalition Spring Meeting

 

Wednesday, May 3

2 – 4:30 pm

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

Simmons Hall

6300 Fifth Ave.

Pittsburgh

RSVP: 412-456-1877 x200

 

Please join the Consumer Health Coalition for a special meeting to further the discussion about how to enhance access to health care and promote and protect health in Southwestern Pennsylvania .  Francesca Chervenak of the Pennsylvania Health Law Project will discuss the Governor’s proposed 2006-2007 budget and how it will affect low-income and at-risk Pennsylvanians.  Dr. Kenneth Thompson, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh , will link health and health care to the revitalization of our region and outline a three-pronged approach to achieve a healthy community.

 

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Public Visioning Workshop for the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan.

 

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Workshop 1: 4 - 5:30 pm

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato will be in attendance to kick off Workshop 1.

Workshop 2: 6:30 – 8 pm

Robert Morris University

Downtown Campus

600 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh

 

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato will be in attendance to kick off Workshop 1.  Workshops will be identical - join us for the one that works best with your schedule.

 

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The University of Michigan’s Approach to Community Service and Learning

 

Wednesday, May 10

12:30 – 2 pm

2500 Posvar Hall

University of Pittsburgh

RSVP: tsssw@pitt.edu or hirth@gro.pitt.edu

www.pitt.edu/~copc

 

The Edward Ginsberg Center for Service and Learning strives to engage students, faculty members, university staff, and community partners in a process which combines community service and academic learning in order to promote civic participation, build community capacity, and enhance the educational process. Professor Dewar’s research focuses on troubled industries and the distressed regions and communities that surround them, including the historic transformation of the Detroit regional economy and initiatives to revitalize areas affected by economic and technological restructuring of heavy manufacturing

 

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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 – 3:30 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.

 

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Pedal Pittsburgh 2006

 

Sunday, May 21

6:30 am – 3:30 pm

Cost: Early Bird (May 1) $20 Individuals $45 Families; After May 1: $25 Individuals, $50 families

Info: 412-232-3545 www.pedalpittsburgh.org

 

Pedal Pittsburgh is the region's premier cycling event celebrating design, health & fitness, and urban lifestyles. This fun, educational bicycle ride draws over 2,000 riders annually, and highlights the neighborhoods and design landmarks that make Pittsburgh unique. A ride, not a race, Pedal Pittsburgh offers a variety of course options ranging from 15 to 60 miles to accommodate everyone from recreational riders to hard-core fitness enthusiasts.  Whether you're a native of Pittsburgh or new to the region, join us on May 21 for Pedal Pittsburgh 2006 to learn more about what makes Pittsburgh special.

 

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RESOURCES

 

Purchase table display space at the 6th Annual 2006 Smart Growth Conference

 

Limited Space Available!

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 Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.

 

This is a prime opportunity to show your product to 150 - 200 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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Walkable communities come with a few curves in design

 

"Together," says Mr. Norquist, "they created a situation where people and their activities are spread over the landscape in separate pods. The new urbanism is all about undoing that."

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06098/680121-30.stm

 

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Sustainable Dream Jobs

 

  The League of Young Voters is hiring for the following positions:

    -Director of Operations and Technology (Full-Time)

    -Field Operations and Campaigns Coordinator (Full-Time)

    -Community Outreach and Cultural Programs Coordinator (Part-Time)

    -Policy and Education Coordinator (Part-Time)

    -Youth Consituency Outreach Coordinator (Part-Time)

    -Executive Assistant (Paid Internship)

    -Online Coordinator (Paid Internship)

 

http://www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/NewFrontPage/jobs_league.html

 

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Ohio River quality reductions considered

 

An agency charged with overseeing water quality of the Ohio River along its 981-mile length has approved further consideration of a plan to reduce water quality standards during periods of high water. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, made up of officials from eight states and the federal government, will send the plan on for public consideration before taking a final vote on the measures this summer...Advocates of the change say the current standards are impossible to meet during and immediately after heavy rains and are almost meaningless anyway because few people use the river for recreation at such times. Holding communities and agencies to the current standards would make them liable to spend unlimited amounts of public money for small benefit, they say. Opponents charged the changes would sanction further degradation of the river water's quality. The proposal would allow for more fecal coliform bacteria and a type of fecal coliform called E. coli in the river. Elevated counts of that bacteria could subject swimmers - if they swallow water or have cuts - to health problems ranging from stomach cramps to dysentery. The new standards would increase the maximum amount of fecal coliform permitted to 10 times its current limit when the river is flowing at 2 mph or faster from May 1 to Oct. 31. That standard would prevail for two days after heavy rains.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/NEWS01/602100363

Public Hearings are set for the following: hursday, April 27, 4-7 p.m. Radisson Green Tree: Pittsburgh , PA. http://www.orsanco.org/docs/PublicNotice3rev.pdf

 

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Allegheny Co. Comp. Plan Steering Committee Meeting March 29, 2006 Powerpoint (Trend Scenario vs. Alternate Themes as to what the County could look like in 20 years)

 

Public Survey - What Should Our Top Priorities Be? 

 

- Investment (Maintain / Improve Existing Older Neighborhoods / Support Business District Revitalization / Refurbish Older Buildings for New Use / Expand Business Retention / Expansion Programs)

- Transportation (Maintenance / Improvement of Traffic Flow on Existing Roadways / Improve & Expand Transit)
- Education (Improve Quality)
- Community Services (Maintain / Improve Public Safety)

 

2025 Trend Scenario Loss of Housing Units: While portions of the County are growing and adding housing units, a number of municipalities are losing population and housing units. The blue “chips” show where housing units are being lost….It’s a snapshot of what the County would look like in 20 years if recent land use development patterns continue... It must be remembered that the 2025 Trend Scenario is by no means a recommended plan or set of policies for the County...What is an Alternative Development Theme? Like the 2025 Trend Scenario… Alternative Themes are informed conjectures as to what the County could look like in 20 years. Unlike the 2025 Trend Scenario…Themes are free to depart from recent custom. Themes propose a wide variety of patterns of growth, types of land uses, densities and additions to transportation and utilities.

 

Alternative Themes are informed conjectures as to what the County could look like in 20 years.

 

 

http://www.alleghenyplaces.com/docs/steering_revised.pdf

http://www.alleghenyplaces.com/docs/highlights.pdf

 

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Allegheny County Housing and Socio-Demographic Trends - December 2005

 

This report examines recent population changes and housing trends in Allegheny County for Allegheny Places, the County’s first Comprehensive Plan...When comparing population change to the state and the region, we find that over the same years the population of Pennsylvania has slowly increased while the population of the Pittsburgh MSA has decreased. Though the region is declining, the population of Allegheny County is declining faster. With both components of population change now negative, the County is leading the region in population decline... Allegheny County is a racially segregated county. Even though, the minority population was 15.5 percent in 2000, African Americans and other minorities were concentrated in relatively few municipalities throughout the county. For example, 75 percent of the county’s African American population lives in four communities— Pittsburgh , Wilkinsburg, Penn Hills, and McKeesport ... Allegheny County meets the affordability demands of households in general. However, for households whose median income at or below 30 percent of the area median income, a gap between the supply and demand of affordable housing units existed in 2000. This segment of the population is facing a shortage of affordable units, which stems from inadequate housing units in the lowest rental categories. Acerbating this problem, single-family housing units are the most common type of new construction within Allegheny County .

 

http://www.alleghenyplaces.com/docs/Housing_Demo_ProvidedbyPitt10.18.05_Update.pdf

 

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Allegheny County Economic Trends - December 2005

 

This report summarizes the economic trends that have affected Allegheny County over the previous three decades and projects a baseline economic forecast using the Pittsburgh REMI Model for Allegheny Places, the County’s first Comprehensive Plan...Increased female labor force participation has not eliminated persistent wage disparities between genders...A disparity in the county’s labor force that has not ameliorated over time has been the labor force participation of African American men.

 

http://www.alleghenyplaces.com/docs/EconTrends_Pitt_10.18.05_Update.pdf

 

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Save Energy Now Partnerships to Accelerate Industrial Energy Efficiency

 

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) has announced approximately $1 million in grants will be available for applicants interested in partnering to advance industrial energy efficiency under state energy program special projects. The goal is to help manufacturers improve energy efficiency and implement energy management best practices. Improving energy efficiency reduces waste and costs, helping manufacturers improve their bottom lines and protect the environment at the same time.

 

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=502764

 

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California Governor, Legislature Take Aim at Climate Change

 

Signaling strong political support for California action to limit global warming, California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez of Los Angeles and Assembly member Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills, both Democrats, Monday jointly introduced a bill to set concrete new limits on global warming pollution. Assembly Bill 32, The Global Warming Solutions Act, would set the nation’s first statewide limit on emissions of the heat-trapping gases that cause global warming, and spur a clean energy boom in the state, supporters say. “It is clear that global warming is a problem we cannot ignore," said Nunez. "Democrats in the legislature have been working for years to address the issue, helping to lead the country and world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions with groundbreaking efforts.” The Global Warming Solutions Act would put teeth in the governor’s Executive Order by establishing a legally binding statewide limit on global warming emissions. It also would set reporting requirements for industry to ensure that the 2020 targets are achieved. “ California ’s legislative leaders get it, and so does the governor,” said Karen Douglas, director of the California Climate Initiative at Environmental Defense. She said the bill would curb California ’s global warming emissions across all energy sectors and jumpstart a new energy economy. The bill would require state agencies to coordinate investments and programs to reduce global warming pollution, and to promote economic growth by encouraging the deployment of emissions reduction technologies.

 

http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=54844

 

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Childhood obesity on the rise

 

 “Along with crumbling or nonexistent sidewalks, dilapidated playgrounds and dangerous streets, Allegheny County has rising rates of childhood obesity -- and county Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dixon sees a link. At his annual State of Public Health in Allegheny County address at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Dixon focused on children's health and how car-friendly neighborhoods can deter physical activity… In addition to its obesity problem, Allegheny County is struggling with high rates of infant mortality, gonorrhea in teenagers and adolescents, and young adult homicides, particularly among blacks.”