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Events

You don't want to miss it!

Regional Water Conference: Protecting and Using our Greatest Asset

Register by September 2, 2010 and save $20!
Thursday, September 9
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry 16066
Cost: $110 for ASCE, EWRI, or C4S members | $130 nonmembers | $50 students
Breakfast and lunch provided

Building on the conversation launched during the Water Matters! Global Water Conference held in June 2010, this conference highlights ways in which southwestern Pennsylvania leads in the management of water and how its residents and businesses are using this region's greatest asset.

The event is intended for professionals seeking to learn about practical solutions regarding water, and engineering practitioners looking to understand what is on the minds of community leaders relating to sustainability and clean water (including Marcellus Shale impacts).

Topics to be covered:
Our Region’s Water Advantages – Why Pittsburgh?
Marcellus Shale Mining Impacts and Solutions
Early Warning Detection Systems for Water Protection
The Future of Water Quality Regulations and Solutions
The Water Consortium Initiative in Southwest PA
Innovative Solutions to Clean Water

More information

Resources

REGISTER NOW! Regional Water Conference: Protecting and Using our Greatest Asset

Thursday, September 9
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry 16066
Cost: $110 for ASCE, EWRI, or C4S members | $130 nonmembers | $50 students
Register by September 2, 2010 and save $20!
Breakfast and lunch provided
More information, including registration and agenda, is available at www.C4SPgh.org.

This conference highlights ways in which southwestern Pennsylvania leads in the management of water and how its residents and businesses are using the region's greatest asset. The event is intended for professionals seeking to learn about practical solutions regarding water, and engineering practitioners looking to understand what is on the minds of community leaders relating to sustainability and clean water (including Marcellus Shale impacts).

This conference builds on the conversation launched during the Water Matters! Global Water Conference held in June 2010 as part of the Pittsburgh region’s World Environment Day 2010 celebration.

Topics to be covered:
Our Region’s Water Advantages – Why Pittsburgh?
Marcellus Shale Mining Impacts and Solutions
Early Warning Detection Systems for Water Protection
The Future of Water Quality Regulations and Solutions
The Water Consortium Initiative in Southwest PA
Innovative Solutions to Clean Water
The conference will also feature three speakers on practical solutions related to Marcellus Shale water issues as well as a panel to discuss what engineering and policy practitioners believe to be the most important water-related issues for this region in order to ensure that the right responses to water demand are addressed.

Presented by: American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section; Environmental & Water Resources Institute; and Champions for Sustainability Recent publicity surrounding Marcellus Shale exploration tends towards polarized debate over whether drilling should be encouraged or banned.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Forum

Monday, September 20
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Duquesne University - Power Center Ballroom, 1015 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
No fee to attend.
SPACE IS LIMITED. To register send full contact information to: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

A new on-street BRT service is under consideration in Allegheny County to offer faster, more reliable, and easier-to-understand transit service. The initial focus is to link Downtown Pittsburgh with Oakland and other East End neighborhoods. As has been realized in other cities, “Rapid Bus” service improves transportation and is an effective catalyst for community revitalization. Implementation of BRT in Pittsburgh’s East End could result in similar benefits for the Forbes and Fifth Avenues Corridor. Before us is a golden opportunity to envision and design the service, facilities and economic development that leaders and citizens want for their neighborhoods.

This forum, focused on Pittsburgh’s Downtown – Oakland – East End area, will feature:
- Planning, development, and transportation professionals with BRT experience along with stakeholders from the community.
- BRT insights from other cities including: Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Cleveland.
- Secretary Allen Biehler, PennDOT
- Breakout sessions will facilitate discussion of BRT benefits, challenges and community development issues.

Pittsburgh BRT Forum Collaborators:
Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Allegheny County Department of Economic Development
Allegheny County Transit Council
Allegheny County Transportation Action Partnership
Bike Pittsburgh
City of Pittsburgh - Department of City Planning
Hill House Development Corporation
NAIOP Pittsburgh - The Commercial Real Estate Development Association
National Bus Rapid Transit Institute
Oakland Planning & Development Corp.
Oakland Transportation Management Association
Oakland Task Force
Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Remaking Cities Institute
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
Sustainable Pittsburgh
Traffic21
UPMC
Uptown Partners
Urban Land Institute - Pittsburgh Chapter

10th Annual Southwestern PA Smart Growth Conference:
Regional Collaboration: Investing in Sustainable Communities

Friday, October 15
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown Pittsburgh
Lunch provided.
Early registration: $25; After 9/23: $45. Free for elected officials.
REGISTER NOW
For exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities contact: cgould@sustainablepittsburgh.org

See below regarding the special post conference Power of 32 Regional Visioning, Community Conversation.

For this 10th anniversary, the conference will be a milestone for the high stakes surrounding the region's capacity building for smart growth. Focus will be on alignment with the Obama Administration's Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities (comprising federal DOT, EPA, and HUD) in supporting integration of housing, transportation, water infrastructure, energy conservation, and land use planning and investment. As such, this one-day conference will identify barriers and solutions to cross-jurisdictional coordination for regional smart growth and sustainable community development policy and implementation. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan hit home the need and opportunity of our times in recently stating, "Our challenge now is to bring that holistic view of community development into the mainstream -- to help build sustainable neighborhoods, communities and regions that are as interconnected as the challenges they face."

The conference will again serve as a public input session to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's process of updating the region's Long Range Transportation and Development Plan. This update will be distinguished by addition of enhancements appropriate to a regional sustainable development plan per the six "Livability Principles" prioritized by the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

The conference will feature:
- Mariia Zimmerman, Deputy Director, HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities
- Representatives of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will discuss the U.S. government's interagency partnership to support and promote sustainable communities.
- Keynote address by Peter Calthorpe, Principal, Calthorpe Associates - Urban Designers, Planners, Architects
- Allen Biehler, Secretary of PA Department of Transportation
- John Hanger, Secretary of PA Department of Environmental Protection
- SPC public process per the region's sustainable development plan
- Four pressing issues interwoven in deliberations: Transportation Funding Crisis, Water & Sewer Infrastructure, Marcellus Impacts, Affordable Housing
- Formal presentation of competition results – “14 Essential Tipping Points for SWPA Sustainable Community Development" (Learn how to enter the competition)
- Learn what federal and state agencies are looking for in capacity and qualification for sustainable community investment
- Identification of actionable steps whose implementation will position our region to accelerate sustainable development and be a priority place for investment
- Crafting of a summary of participants' input and resulting action plan for presentation to the candidates for Governor, other candidates and incumbents, and community leaders

Southwestern PA is a contemporary proving ground for hastening the new American dream found in revitalizing livable, sustainable communities through smart growth policies that discourage sprawl, congestion and pollution. Come be part of continuing the region's sustainability renaissance for economically competitive, environmentally sustainable, opportunity rich communities. More than a one-time event, the conference will be a point of acceleration and innovation for the region's positive path.

Peter Calthorpe has been named one of twenty-five "innovators on the cutting edge" by Newsweek Magazine for his work redefining the models of urban and suburban growth in America. Starting practice in 1976, he has a long and honored career in urban design, planning and architecture, combining his experience in each discipline to develop new approaches to urban revitalization, suburban growth, and regional planning. His early published work included technical papers, articles for popular magazines, and a number of seminal books, including Sustainable Communities with Sim Van der Ryn, and the Pedestrian Pocket Book with Doug Kelbaugh. The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the American Dream, published in 1993, introduced the concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and provided extensive guidelines and illustrations of their board application. His latest book with William Fulton, The Regional City: Planning for the End of Sprawl, explains how regional-scale planning and design can integrate urban revitalization and suburban renewal into a coherent vision of metropolitan growth.

Presented by Sustainable Pittsburgh's Sustainable Community Development Network in collaboration with: 3 Rivers Wet Weather, 10,000 Friends of PA, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Green Building Alliance, Group Against Smog and Pollution, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Local Government Academy, Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 10, District 11, and District 12, Pennsylvania Resources Council, Remaking Cities Institute, Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County, Southwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Planners Association, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Pittsburgh, Young Preservationists Association

Sponsored by The PNC Financial Services Group and Michael Baker Corporation.

Post Smart Growth Conference - Power of 32 Community Conversation
Continuing the regional dialogue, immediately following conclusion of the October 15 Smart Growth Conference, a Power of 32 Community Conversation will be held from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Ballroom. This regional visioning session is open and free to residents of the 32 county region. Pre-register by calling 866-431-3622 and refer to the post Oct. 15 Smart Growth Conference Community Conversation. Attendees of the Smart Growth Conference are encouraged to stay and apply insights from the day. The public at large is welcomed too. Power of 32 is a regional visioning initiative engaging residents across 32 counties in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in creating a shared vision for the region's future. Through the Power of 32, we can think differently about our region's challenges—our role in the global world, our quality of life, and our opportunities—and act in ways that set a new direction for the future. Please join with other champions of smart growth and sustainability in this important opportunity to share your ideas about the future of the Power of 32 region. Input gained in the community conversations held around the region will by synthesized and vetted toward creation of a shared regional action agenda.

Port Authority Public Hearing TODAY

Thursday, August 19
8:00 am - 8:00 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown Pittsburgh
More information

Port Authority is proposing to reduce service by 35 percent, including the elimination of 48 routes, and increase its fares by a quarter for most riders in January due to a statewide transportation crisis. The Federal Government's decision to not permit tolling on Interstate 80 has created a $450 million gap statewide in transportation funding. The local impact for roads, bridges and public transportation would be devastating. Port Authority's impact is immediate and it is accepting public comments in writing or at PortAuthority.org from July 28-Aug. 31. Those wishing to testify at the public hearing are encouraged to pre-register by calling 412-566-5437 (TTY 412-231-7007) from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Oral testimony will be limited to three minutes per speaker. Those who have not pre-registered may register at the hearing and will be called on as time slots become available. Port Authority will provide a sign language interpreter at the hearing as well as Braille copies of informational documents.

Historic Bridge Weekend

August 20-22, 2010
Various locations
RSVP for Friday dinner by 5:00 pm TODAY (August 19)
More information

Join fellow engineers, public servants, historians, photographers, and hobbyists for the premier Pittsburgh historic bridge event of the year. Topics to be addressed on Friday include:

"Monitoring Bridges with Sensors" featuring John F. Graham Jr. P.E. Dist. M. ASCE
Using sensors to monitor bridges allows engineers to understand what is going on with a bridge, providing more accurate data than with visual inspections. Sensors give real data, letting engineers know if a deficiency is actually causing a problem. They can also alert the owner as a problem is beginning to occur, so it can be repaired before it leads to other problems.

"Historic Bridge Solutions Through Compromise" featuring Nathan Holth, creator, author, and photographer of Historicbridges.org
Discussion and case studies regarding methods for arriving at a successful historic bridge preservation project. The audience will be encouraged to participate and offer comments and questions throughout the presentation.

"Troubleshooting a Historic Structure Rehabilitation Project" featuring Luke Gordon, Project Manager, Ajax Paving Industries
A focused discussion on the project scoping, design, materials, and construction practices that lead a contractor and owner to a successful project. At certain points during the presentation the audience will be able to ask questions on the topics discussed.

Additional speakers will be featured on Saturday including founder and President of The Historic Quaker Bridge Foundation, Nathan Clark, who will discuss his group's experiences in taking ownership of a historic bridge once slated for demolition, and developing a park around it, and Jason Smith, historian, bridge photographer, and lecturer of English at the University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt, Germany in discussing the attitudes of Europeans and Americans towards places of historic interest. On Sunday, individuals are invited to tour numerous historical bridges in the Pittsburgh area.

What do we need to know?
A panel discussion on potential public health impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling

Friday, August 27
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
G23 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street, Oakland
Free and open to the public
For more information visit, www.chec.pitt.edu and www.fractracker.org.

Serious potential environmental and public health concerns surround the gas extraction process used in the Marcellus Shale, the sedimentary rock formation underlying significant portions of Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia. This panel discussion will address the following topics: • Conceptual site modeling
• Potential human exposure pathways to water and air contaminants
• Behavioral and community health concerns
• Public health preparedness related to gas industry operations
• Fractracker.org, a Web platform that gives researchers the ability to directly engage citizens in the collection of data to effectively demonstrate the impacts of Marcellus Shale gas extraction

Dan Volz, DrPH, MPH, assistant professor in the GSPH Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, and director of the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities (CHEC)
Charles Christen, DrPH, MEd, CHEC director of operations
Samantha Malone, MPH, CPH, CHEC communications specialist

Running Green for Three Rivers: 5K Run & Walk

Sunday, August 29
Registration: 10:00 am
Starting Time: 10:30 am
Start: 16th Street Bridge, downtown
Finish: 9th Street Bridge, downtown at Rachel’s Sustainable Feast
Cost: $15.00 ($7 goes to the Rachel Carson Homestead; the rest of the proceeds go to Three Rivers Community Foundation)
Register online or via mail. For more info, visit: rungreenpa.org
Registration form

In pursuit of environmental justice, Three Rivers Community Foundation is organizing a 5K Run & Walk (postponed from World Environment Day in June) to promote and commemorate the sustainable efforts in Pittsburgh. Running Green for Three Rivers will be syncing up with the Rachel's Sustainable Feast organized by the Rachel Carson Homestead, so that the run ends at the feast. The mission of this event is to raise public awareness about and build support for local grassroots sustainability initiatives. Dogs and pets welcome! As a participant, your entry to the Feast is covered by the cost of this event. The Feast runs from 12-4pm.

Sponsored by The Three Rivers Community Foundation in partnership with Rachel Carson Homestead, East End Food Coop, G-Tech, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Group Against Smog and Pollution, Venture Outdoors and other groups TBA.

Westmoreland County's First Annual Community and Economic Development Summit

Thursday, September 9
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saint Vincent College, Fred Rogers Center, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe
Registration fee: $20
RSVP by August 27th to Jack Brown at Westmoreland Community Action
More information

Westmoreland Community Action is collaborating with the Smart Growth Partnership, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and PNC Bank to conduct Westmoreland County’s first-ever economic development summit. The event is an all-day affair featuring a catered breakfast, lunch, several prominent keynote speakers, along with several breakout sessions. Sandra Moore of Keynote Strategies, Dr. John McKnight of Northwestern University, and Evergreen Cooperatives of Cleveland, Ohio will all be speaking during this event.

Trek the Trail Dedication/Grand Opening

Saturday, September 11
9:00 am
West Park Nature Center ((956 Old Youngstown Road, across from the New Castle Airport)
Contact: Doniele Andrus at Andrusdoniele@yahoo.com or call (724) 968-0793.
More information

Lawrence County has been diligently working to open the first Mountain Bike Trail at West Park Nature Center. Experienced riders, cross country runners, hikers and their families are invited to the dedication/grand opening of 2 miles of this trail at the West Park Nature Center. The events will kick off at 9 am with a brief trail dedication and project explanation including a ribbon cutting to commemorate the trail. All visitors are then welcome to begin “Trekking the Trail” at 9:30. In addition to the grand opening, there will be more information on the Centers programs, future trail expansion, and opportunity for networking. Some light refreshments will be made available at a reception tent. Please note that latest addition to the trail system is a single track mountain bike style trail and consists of predominately compacted dirt about 18-24" in width. The Center does offer ADA trails and attractions.

Western PA Diversity Initiative Symposium
Retaining a Diverse Workforce in Today's Economy

Wednesday, September 15
8:30 am - 10:30 am
City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Rm 920, downtown Pittsburgh
No fee for members and non-members
More information

Featuring Tiffany Taylor Smith, M.S. Ed.-Educator and consultant dedicated to helping people love who they are while embracing those who are different. Tiffany received her Master’s Degree in Education specializing in Counseling Services from Fordham University and Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Rochester. Her company, TR Taylor Consulting Group based in Cranford, NJ, is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations build better cross-cultural relationships. Prior to her work as a consultant and educator, Taylor Smith was a Diversity, Recruiting and Training Manager for Proctor & Gamble, where she worked in sales and on programs to retain minority and women employees. She is also currently working as an adjunct professor in child, adolescent and social psychology at Kean University.

Pittsburgh Park(ing) Day

Friday, September 17
Throughout the day
Contact:
CDCP: Andrea Lavin Kossis at alavin@cdcp.org
Mattress Factory: Emily Craig at Emily@mattress.org

PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, international event in which artists, designers, activists and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces.

This is your opportunity to get Pittsburghers thinking about how important public spaces are and how parks improve our communities. These park installations aim to transform urban environments designed for vehicle use into a communal space for public use. They also provide a chance to generate more awareness about your organization by showcasing your mission, activities and values.

PARK(ing) spaces come in all sizes and styles. It could be an art installation, interactive demonstration, place to sit, or showcase for urban farming and gardening. A park bench, tree and grass works too! There are countless of imaginative ways to transform a metered parking space. For inspiration, you can view images of previous-year spots at http://my.parkingday.org/.

A group of volunteers is working with the CDCP and the Mattress Factory to organize and promote this event for the third year in Pittsburgh. To learn more, visit http://parkingdaypittsburgh.blogspot.com/. Please do not hesitate to contact if you have any questions.

4th Annual Green Building Products Summit:
Changes and Opportunities in the Green Building Product Industry

Friday, September 17
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Doubletree Monroeville Hotel, Monroeville, PA
Cost: $89
For more information or to register contact Robz@gbapgh.org or (412) 431-0709 or visit www.pa-greenbuildingproducts.org
Agenda

Changes are coming in the Green Building Products Industry! Be prepared for those changes by attending the Green Building Products Summit. This one day event is geared toward making sure YOU have all the information and resources you need to move forward successfully in the green building industry! Who should attend? Product manufacturers engaged in the green building marketplace from President/CEO to Marketing and Communications.

2010 Rachel Carson Legacy Conference
Challenging Marcellus Shale: Consequences and Alternatives

Friday, September 24
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, S. Bellefield Avenue, Oakland
More information

The 2010 Rachel Carson Legacy Conference: Challenging Marcellus Shale - Consequences and Alternatives, will address the health, environmental and community effects Pennsylvania will face with the development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas fields.

The Rachel Carson Homestead has gathered people from New York, Colorado and Pennsylvania with experience and expertise in evaluating the results of the deep shale fracking industry. The Alternatives approach will be highlighted by keynote speaker Dr. Karl-Henrik Robčrt of Sweden, founder of The Natural Step process for reaching a sustainable economy. He will be followed by Ken Melamed, Mayor of Whistler, B.C., who will describe the Whistler 2020 plan as implemented based on Dr. Robert's approach and a panel of renewable and sustainable energy businesses illustrating current economically viable applications of renewable energy systems.

Women's Walk for Peace 2010

Saturday, October 16
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pittsburgh's Northside
Visit womenswalk.org or call (412) 321-5527 for more information.

This walk, hosted by the Northside Coalition for Fair Housing, and related events, help provide community members with the necessary tools for intervention and prevention regarding domestic and street violence. The Women's Walk for Peace will consist of multiple events culminating with a two-mile walk and full day of activities. The walk will begin at 814 Tripoli Street at the Limbaugh Center and end at the Manchester Field and Playground (Franklin Street) where National & Local speakers will address the Peace Council discussions. National Syndicated Radio Host Bev Smith will be the Keynote Speaker. Plus there will be an Appreciation Concert with Grammy Award Winners MARY MARY - Live In Concert. The Women's Walk for Peace is an event opened to the general public and for all ages, races and genders.

SAVE THE DATE: Western PA Trails Symposium

Friday, October 22
Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry Township, Butler County
Contact: Hannah E. Hardy, hhardy@pecpa.org; (412) 481-9400

Registration materials and a complete agenda will be available on www.pecpa.org in September.

Resources

Participate in the Tipping Points for Sustainability Competition

In step with the 10th annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference, the Tipping Points for Sustainability Competition is seeking input on what YOU think accelerated southwestern Pennsylvania on the path toward sustainable development over the last ten years.

Per the 14 Sustainable Community Development Essentials, (launched at the 2009 Smart Growth Conference), individuals are invited to identify and submit the significant tipping point(s), in other words, game changing moments, from the last ten years that are points of departure whereby the policy and practice of these "Essentials" were accelerated for the region.

- What is the systems change, the good, that has come from it?
- What did that tipping point put in motion; what we should have learned and how we should be applying this today?

Tipping points can be: policies, acts of leadership, mishaps, demonstration projects, an event, etc. A committee of judges will review the submissions to pick the top winners and award prizes. Winners will be announced during the 10th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference on Friday, October 15. The grand prize winner will receive a free iPad, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Technology Council!

The competition is open from August until September 24, 2010.

Regional Water Conference highlights water management

Topics at the Conference include Marcellus Shale mining, water quality regulation, water protection and solutions to clean water. Panelists include Dr. Jean[ne] VanBriesen, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon, Thomas McCaffrey of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Timothy Keister, chief chemist and president at ProChem Tech International, Inc.

More

Help Wanted: Executive Director/Scenic Pittsburgh

Scenic Pittsburgh (SP) is a start-up organization being established as an affiliate of Scenic America (www.scenic.org). The charge of Scenic Pittsburgh will be to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic beauty of the Greater Pittsburgh region to help provide an enhanced quality of life for its residents.

Scenic Pittsburgh is looking for an innovative, self motivated Executive Director, who has a proven record of successful, targeted, issue specific advocacy, is passionate, creative, and dynamic and who possesses the ability to lead and inspire others with a scenic vision for the community through the thoughtful development of aesthetically-compelling transportation corridors and streets.

Proposed gas drilling ban in city wins friends, foes such as Tom Ridge

Diametrically opposed viewpoints on the Marcellus Shale boom competed for attention Tuesday with Pittsburgh City Councilman Doug Shields seeking a citywide ban on natural gas drilling and former Gov. Tom Ridge hailing the industry's "transformative opportunity" for Pennsylvania.

Pay your fair share

The drillers whine that they are over taxed in Pennsylvania because our corporate income tax is so high. But there's a problem with that argument — hardly any of them pay it.

Be a 6th Grade Mentor

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is recruiting African American mentors for the Be a 6th Grade Mentor program. The organization is excited to be a part of the biggest mentoring project in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Going into its second year, Be a 6th Grade Mentor pairs Pittsburgh Public School students with caring adult role models who help them develop career aspirations that propel them toward academic proficiency and ultimately success in careers and life. Six graders are at a crossroads, they either choose to get motivated about school and their future careers, or, well, they don’t. The kids who get motivated about their future usually are influenced by smart, caring adults. People like you. For more information call Phil Scott at (412) 227-4817 or visit bea6thgradementor.org/

This Week: News and Essays on Getting Minorities Outdoors, and Wind Energy

This week on The Allegheny Front, we look at why minorities and African-American youths in particular are missing from the outdoors. We explore efforts to combat this trend--from cycling the streets of Pittsburgh to visiting with speakers and youth at an outdoors summit in New York. We also have an essay from one of our interns about her childhood as the daughter of Asian immigrants who were decidedly not outdoor people. The Children in Nature series continues with kids' essays on hunting. In the news, we look at wind power nationally and in Pennsylvania. We also have a gas drilling roundup, including news of a possible bill to ban drilling in Pittsburgh.

Legislators seek private sector's help with transportation

The three 3Ps, as the public-private partnerships are called, involve state or local governments contracting with a commercial firm to build, expand or maintain a road, bridge or transit system for a set period while still maintaining public ownership. Potential candidates for 3Ps include adding lanes to congested metro highways, new bypasses and high-speed rail.

The Reverse Commute
The Obama administration is trying to rein in suburban sprawl. But is it any match for 70 years of unsustainable development?

"The risk is that the culture war that we've been battling for the last generation, that plays itself out in the harshly partisan environment of Washington, will spill over into this field," says Brookings Institution visiting fellow Christopher Leinberger, a developer who first worked with Poticha on reviving Chattanooga in the early 1990s when she was working for Peter Calthorpe, who would later found the Congress for the New Urbanism. He continues, "What should be a bipartisan, economic, and environmental quality-of-life issue becomes, 'Everyone who owns a car is the devil and is going to drive us off a cliff,' versus, 'The other side wants to take our cars away from me, and you're going to rip my hands off my steering wheel when I'm dead and cold.' It's very easy to turn into a right-left, progressive versus free enterprise kind of caricature."

Get involved in September Local Food Month

The Western Pennsylvania Buy Fresh Buy Local Region is working on finalizing the calendar of events for Local Food Month. The group is looking to partner with businesses, organizations, agencies, and individuals who would like to organize and host and/or sponsor an event in September that will highlight, celebrate, promote, and/or feature LOCALLY GROWN FOOD. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Alissa Matthews, the new Western Region BFBL Coordinator for PASA at alissa@pasafarming.org by the end of August.

Making Sense of Neighborhood Structure

In The Nature of Order, Christopher Alexander provides a possible solution. He said, "The new should always grow out of respect for what is there now and what was there before." He has proposed a way to illustrate and measure our neighborhoods so that it could be shared it with our neighbors. Combined with an open and transparent public engagement, I've found that this tool gets everyone involved on the same page and looking at their neighborhood through the same pair of eyes.

U.S. Steel speeds up Clairton Coke Works pollution project

U.S. Steel Corp. will alter its $1.1 billion Clairton Coke Works rehabilitation project to reduce air pollution significantly more than initially planned and do it almost two year before it had anticipated, the Allegheny County Health Department said Tuesday.

Greenland on the rocks, renewable energy gets stiffed again

A quick recap on the latest in energy, climate, and U.S. policy.

Is It Time to Re-Think Your Green Team?

Can green teams help companies innovate beyond internal operations and actually influence product and service innovation? If so, what will it take to realign and redesign these teams so that their energy and social capital can be optimized? This was the focus of a recent research study published by Sabre Holdings, Dominican University and Paladin Law Group LLP.

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 ($1,000 and up) in 2010 from:

Allegheny County - Dan Onorato, County Executive
Atkins Family Foundation
BNY Mellon
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
FedEx Ground
Pashek Associates
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
UPMC
Waste Management


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