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Events

We Double Dare You NOT to Participate in Great Outdoors Week 2007!
If so, you will be missing all this fun!

The sixth annual Great Outdoors Week (GOW) begins on Friday, May 18 thru Sunday May 27 2007!

Join residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania as we strut our stuff to show what we are made of -- rivers, parks, trails and tons of green space that we call home!

Great Outdoors Week, an outdoor recreation marketing campaign is presented in partnership with many outdoor organizations and providers to indulge Southwestern Pennsylvania residents in outdoor recreation opportunities, encouraging fun, adventure, and active lifestyles right in our own backyard.

Great Outdoors Week is the "shot in the arm" some of us need to catapult us into a canoe, a kayak or a dragon boat; to get us on a bicycle negotiating streets or cruising the scenic trails; it motivates us to purchase or borrow binoculars for exclusive birding that only happens here; or it may even help us discover a favorite trail or park (to share with a loved one) -- we have many to choose from!

Great Outdoors Week is truly for everyone, but especially for those who want to try a new adventure. Enjoy the following articles pointing to Great Outdoors Week happenings:

Great outdoors week encourages the locals to get out and about
'Get out!' for Great Outdoors Week
Listen (GOW Interview)
Listen (GOW Interview)

Port Authority of Allegheny County and Beaver County Transit leaders to Address Smart Growth Conference

Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland and Beaver County Transit Authority General Manager Mary Jo Morandini will speak about local transit funding options at the 7th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference at 1:45 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Omni William Penn Hotel...Mr. Bland and Ms. Morandini, co-chairs of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Community Initiative’s Funding Public Transportation Committee, will discuss how other cities around the country have met their local transit funding challenges and what lessons their experiences provide for our region. The committee is working on practical policy options and practices needed to achieve the focused growth strategy that is part of the Long Range Transportation and Development Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Learn More

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Resources

Join Secretary Kathleen McGinty for a Town Hall Meeting

Thursday, May 17
6:30 pm
Carnegie Mellon campus in the Singleton Room of Roberts Hall
Pittsburgh (Oakland)
Learn More about the Energy Independence Strategy

Please Join Kathleen McGinty, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, for a Town Hall meeting to discuss the Governor Rendell’s Energy Independence Strategy. In February, Governor Rendell introduced the Energy Independence Strategy, which, if passed, will push Pennsylvania into the top tier of states taking steps to cut consumer energy costs, and significantly expand the alternative fuel, clean energy and conservation sectors.

7th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference "Focusing Growth for Regional Prosperity"

Friday, May 18, 2007
8 am - 3:30 pm
Omni William Penn Hotel
530 William Penn Place, downtown Pittsburgh
No fee to attend
Click here for more details
Featuring:
- Keynote address by Don Chen, Smart Growth America
- Public Presentation and Comment on Draft Long Range Transportation and Development Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania (Project Region)
- Public input on work to date by the SWPA Smart Growth Community Committees
- Reaction panel featuring state, regional and local leaders

This year’s conference picks up from past Smart Growth Conferences in serving again as a public comment session to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's process of updating the region's Long Range Transportation and Development Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania (called Project Region).

Attendees will also hear progress reports and provide input to the on-going work of the three Smart Growth Community Committees that were created in response to the regional priorities voted upon at last year's conference:
- Leveling the Field for Redevelopment (Diane Sheets & Laura Zinski)
- Promoting Regionalism (Commissioner Tom Ceraso & David Miller)
- Funding Public Transportation (Steve Bland & Mary Jo Morandini)

Toward addressing the challenges of revitalizing the region's communities, these committees are working on practical policy options and practices, the type of which will be necessary to realize the regional plan's focused growth strategy for regional development and prosperity.

Project Region: The Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Plan, will be the mechanism for connecting the region’s vision to an official, coordinated implementation program of projects and actions. Through Project Region, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission looks to raise the level of transparency in regional planning, and further improve its utility, by focusing on the functional rather than the jurisdictional/geographic aspects of desired improvements.

Come be part of this important regional planning process which represents a milestone in the region's heightened resolve to integrate and focus transportation and development for quality of life and competitiveness in the global economy.

Presented by:
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development
Regional Coalition of Community Builders
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
Sustainable Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics

Sponsored by:

Supported by:
Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Heinz Endowments

To register:
Call: 412-258-6642
Email: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org
To become a sponsor call: 412-258-6643

Great Outdoors Week 2007

Leading the region to fun and healthy lifestyles one week at a time!

The sixth annual Great Outdoors Week begins on Friday, May 18 thru Sunday, May 27, 2007! To explore how to engage your constituents, employees, family and friends, go to www.greatoutdoorsweek.org and learn of the amazing number of outdoor happenings throughout the week.

Great Outdoors Week partners include: Bike Pittsburgh, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Rachael Carson Homestead, Rack ‘n Roll, REI, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Rowing Association, Venture Outdoors, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

For more information, please call (412) 258-6646.

Venture Outdoors Festival

Saturday, May 19
Pittsburgh's North Shore
http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/

The seventh annual Venture Outdoors Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2007. The festival is an all day event and is being held on Pittsburgh's North Shore - right in front of Heinz Field. As always, the goal of Venture Outdoors is to introduce as many people as possible to the wide variety of outdoor recreational activities easily accessible right here in Western Pennsylvania. Together with the region's abundant environmental assets & the rivers, the mountains, and numerous bike and walking trails - these activities demonstrate the terrific quality of life available to residents and visitors. We invite you to be a part of the excitement so please save the date!

Socially Responsible Investing Seminar

Tuesday, May 22
5:30 - 7 pm
Panera Meeting Room, 3800 Forbes Avenue at Bouquet St.
Pittsburgh (Oakland)
Register: diane.slepski@ubs.com or 412-562-6781

If you want to see how you as an investor can make a difference by investing in socially and environmentally responsible companies, please join Ellen Marcus of UBS Financial Services, a member of the Social Investment Forum, who will lead an informal discussion and question and answer session. Refreshments will be provided.

SPC Announces Public Participation Opportunities

May 22, 5:30 pm, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Greene County Office Building, 93 East High Street, Waynesburg
May 23, 7 pm, Jury Holding Room, Old Courthouse, 430 Court Street, New Castle
May 24, 7 pm, County Commissioners' Conference Room, Courthouse Annex, 450 Market Street, Kittanning
May 30, 5 pm, Conference Room, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, 65 West Main Street, Uniontown
June 5, 6 pm, Commissioners' Meeting Room, County Courthouse Annex, 2 N. Main Street, Greensburg
June 6, 7 pm, Commissioners' Conference Room, County Courthouse, 810 Third Street, Beaver
June 12, 7 pm, Large Group Instruction Room, Indiana Area Junior High, 245 N. Fifth Street, Indiana
June 13, 5:30 pm, 31st floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
June 19, 6 pm, Room 104 Courthouse Square, 100 West Beau Street, Washington
June 20, 7 pm, Public Meeting Room, County Government Center, 124 W. Diamond Street, Butler

You Have a Voice in Transportation Planning

Involving the public in the regional planning processes is a high priority for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. As one means of receiving valuable public input, SPC maintains Public Participation Panels (PPPs) for each county in its transportation planning region. Citizens do not need to travel outside their own county to address SPC about anything in regional transportation planning, because through the PPPs, SPC comes to them. PPP meetings are open to the public.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is seeking public comments on the Draft Public Participation Plan from May 4 to June 21, 2007. The Draft Public Participation Plan describes the various objectives, strategies and tools to engage the public and encourage participation in the development of transportation plans and programs. Public comments will be accepted as part of upcoming SPC public meetings.

Review this draft document through June 21, 2007 at www.spcregion.org, at the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, Pittsburgh Department of City Planning, Armstrong County Department of Planning & Development, Beaver County Planning Commission, Butler County Planning Commission, Fayette County Office of Planning and Community Development, Greene County Planning Commission, Indiana County Office of Planning & Development, Lawrence County Planning Department, Washington County Planning Commission, Westmoreland County Planning Department, many public libraries throughout the region, and the office of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

Written comments may be submitted through June 21, 2007 to:
SPC - Comments
425 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 2500 Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1852
Fax to Comments: 412-391-9160
E-mail: comments@spcregion.org
Online: http://www.spcregion.org/trans_ppp_sched.shtml

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will consider the Draft Public Participation Plan for action at their meeting on June 28, 2007 at 4:30 p.m., Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Avenue, 31st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1852.

For meeting directions or additional information, please visit http://www.spcregion.org or call (412) 391-5590.

Meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.

With advance notification, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) will make every effort to accommodate special needs related to language, sight, or hearing. Contact SPC at 412-391-5590, extension 334, to request such assistance.

Transit Information

For information regarding transit services to the Public Meeting in Allegheny County call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000.

For transit information in other counties, please visit: http://www.commuteinfo.org/comm_trans.shtml

For more information, please contact Shannon O’Connell at SPC at 412-391-5590, extension 334 or soconnell@spcregion.org.

Heavy Metal Contamination and City Soils: Urban Ecological Collaborative Research Working Group meeting

Thursday, May 24
10 am - 12 pm
Allegheny County Office of the Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension Service
400 North Lexington Street
Pittsburgh
Cost: Free
RSVP: mcm2@psu.edu

This meeting will focus on the legacy of contaminants stored in Pittsburgh soils. All are welcome to attend. However, please note this is primarily a research meeting, meant to disseminate and discuss research results, so discussion will be structured to facilitate this process. Dr. Daniel Bain will be moderating the meeting. If you would like to add topics/questions to the discussion, please contact him at your earliest convenience. If you would like to learn more about the Research Working Group, please contact Mike Masiuk (Penn State Cooperative Extension email: mcm2@psu.edu ).

Smart Transportation for Focused Growth: Best Practices

Monday, June 11, 2007
8:00 AM until 11:00 AM
The Rivers Club
Oxford Centre ~ 301 Grant Street 4th Fl.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Register
More information

The Urban Land Institute in partnership with the ULI-Pittsburgh District Council, PennFutures, Sustainable Pittsburgh, 10,000 Friends-Pittsburgh, and the Local Government Academy is convening a panel of experts to discuss the importance of sound land use policy in setting transportation priorities. Our region's economic competitiveness depends on smart choices for transportation and transit investments.

Public Education Advocacy Day

Tuesday, June 5
Bus departs from Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Monroeville at 6 am
Info/Reserve a Seat: aimee@goodschoolspa.org or 412-728-8224

Are you a Parent, Educator, Student, Business Leader, Faith-Based Community Member, County Leader, Municipal Leader, or a Concerned Citizen that believes every child has the right to a high quality education? Then, join Good Schools PA in the movement for educational justice! Jump aboard the bus to Harrisburg to learn more, share your concern with legislators and raise your voice to call for adequate funding for all of Pennsylvania’s children!

Penn State Offers Series of Land Use Planning Workshops

June 6, 13, & 27
4:30 - 8 pm
Cranberry Township Municipal Center
Register by May 25. Cost: $20 for one workshop; $30 for two; $35 for three
Call (724) 228-6881 for more information

The workshops will look at the impacts of unbalanced growth and development patterns from a local and regional perspective and offer information and techniques that have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects on open space and natural resources, according to program planner Mark Remcheck, extension community forester based in Washington County. The objective is to encourage and facilitate regional cooperation and planning. Topics covered will include Allegheny Land Trust’s “Greenprint”: A regional conservation agenda for the public good; an overview of comprehensive planning, land use regulation and natural resource conservation as authorized by the State; the fiscal impacts of residential development; and “Natural Infrastructure”, a nine county coordinated GIS database of natural assets.

Resources

Sustainable Dream Jobs: Sustainable Pittsburgh

Sustainable Dream Jobs: Penn Future

Penn Future Seeks a Multimedia Intern and Global Warming Outreach Coordinator for NE Pennsylvania

WYEP Allegheny Front wins Golden Quill Award

On Monday May 14, The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Jordan won a Golden Quill award for "Best Radio Commentary/Editorial" from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania for her piece "Remembering an Ethanol Pioneer." The commentary is about Jennifer's second cousin, Paul Dana, a sports journalist turned race car driver who was killed in a practice lap last year. His push for renewable fuels lead to the Indianapolis 500 to require its race cars to run on ethanol. Judges commented that Jennifer's piece was well-written and well-researched.

Two other stories from The Allegheny Front were finalists for Golden Quills. Jason Witmer's story "Losing the Farm" and Jennifer Jordan's story "High Waters: Price of Development"

Gen Y recruits ask what your company has done for the community lately

A perfect corporate storm is brewing. As baby boomers begin to retire en masse, the Labor Department is reporting low unemployment. Increasingly there will be far more open positions than available workers as labor economists forecast a shortfall of 10 million workers by 2010. Generation Y workers -- sometimes called the "Ritalin Generation" for their high energy and ensuing enthusiasm -- are on a mission. Sociologists say these 20-somethings aspire to make a positive impact on society, and they are increasingly linking their personal and professional goals, fully expecting their employers to help them contribute to the community.

Meeting scheduled on outdoor activities

Monroeville will be the site of one of five public meetings intended to carry on a discussion about public participation in outdoor activities that began at the Governor's Outdoors Conference in March. The meeting will held at 6 p.m. June 6 at the Boyce Park Ski Lodge. Information from the post-conference meetings and conference findings will be included in a report to be presented to Gov. Ed Rendell and the general assembly this fall.

Governor joins mayors across Pennsylvania in calling for action on critical transit needs

“Our 73 transit systems are facing some very tough times and the potential loss of important connections,” the Governor said. “If Harrisburg does not address the transportation funding issue, Altoona Metro Transit alone will be forced to cut service by 24 percent. And, transit systems all over Pennsylvania face the same tough choices. We are talking about the potential of hundreds of thousands of lost rides, which means people will not be able to go to work, school or see their doctor. We must deal with the transportation funding issue and we must do it now.”

Web site shows how pols would have you pay for roads

Rideonpa.org gives "a comprehensive view of the condition of the state's 40,000 miles of roads and bridges and the severe funding shortfall that threatens the economic stability of local regions that would result from significant public transit cuts."

Legislature explores spectrum of funding mass transit

"We need to find other ways for Allegheny County and other counties to fund mass transit for the people that need it," said state Rep. Joseph Markosek, D-Monroeville, chairman of the House Transportation Committee. "We have to provide them with more options for their local matching funds. There could be a mosaic of funding proposals."..Currently, Allegheny County provides $25 million a year out of its general fund for Port Authority of Allegheny County. county Chief Executive Dan Onorato's only current revenue-raising tool is the property tax, and he doesn't want to use more of the county's existing revenue to help fund the Port Authority, which currently faces a $45 million deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1.

New rules suggested for municipalities to get 'distressed' status

"I believe there are some issues with current law that cause the communities to remain on the Act 47 list much longer than necessary," Mr. Wojnaroski said yesterday. "Act 47 should be set up to encourage successful resolution and independence, not keep municipalities beholden to the state and the recovery coordinators appointed to help them."

Bush Calls For Cuts In Vehicle Emissions

With gasoline prices spiraling to record highs last week and a recent Supreme Court ruling requiring executive action to restrict global warming gases, President Bush yesterday ordered four federal agencies to draw up regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks by the end of his administration.

Heretical planning: Facing the reality of shrinking cities

Cleveland and the older cities of Northeast Ohio haven't grown in decades, and they may not grow in the foreseeable future. So is it time to envision an urban future that is smaller and smarter, rather than bigger and perhaps no better? Can cities with high rates of vacancy re-invent themselves so that they can develop on a smaller ecological footprint than they had in their industrial heyday? In short can we imagine a successful future not driven by continuous growth? Those are some of the provocative questions—questions that get to the heart of what it means to be a sustainable city—being raised by the Shrinking Cities Institute of Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC).

A Nation in Transition: What the Urban Age Means for the United States

In an address to a gathering of the Urban Age in New York City, Bruce Katz argues that contrary to popular opinion, the United States exemplifies the world's drive towards urbanization, and that to remain prosperous, the U.S. must recognize the central lesson of the Urban Age: that the ability of the U.S., or any nation, to compete globally and meet the great environmental and social challenges of our time rests largely on the health and vitality of major cities and metropolitan areas.

Sustainable Philadelphia: Clean and Green by 2016

The Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum, a unique coalition of groups working to make Philadelphia the greenest, most livable city in America, has produced the report Sustainable Philadelphia: Clean and Green by 2016, which outlines how the city can meet sustainability goals within the next ten years. The report begins with a visioning process: What a Sustainable Philadelphia will look like through the eyes of several stakeholders, including an adult who works in the city, the mayor of the city, and a child who is growing up in the city.

Suburbs stream meetings on Web

"Hopefully, the added access people can have to these meetings will bring more interest in what's going on with their taxes," said Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference, representing more than 30 Cook County suburbs.

Business Walking the Talk in Energy and Climate

Hone identified policy options to sustain economic growth while transforming the ways we access, produce and consume energy. He explored policy ideas and concepts for the transition to a low greenhouse gas (GHG) economy and called for the development and deployment of leading-edge technologies through partnerships and incentives, and an approach to mitigate long-term market risk and deliver secure benefits for large-scale, low-carbon, new-technology projects.

New PennFuture Podcast

On April 14 this year, Americans in all 50 states came together to call on leaders to take immediate action to stop global warming in a day of events called Step It Up.

For information on becoming a Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh, please visit our website.

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Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2007 from:

Dollar Bank
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
University of Pittsburgh


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1335
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP