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Events

Have you seen this?

Well, unless you've been living under a rock for the last three and a half months, it's hard to miss the recent attacks on walls in Southwestern Pennsylvania--cubicle walls, living room walls, brick walls, 70s wood paneled walls...need we go on?

But lest you haven't heard, or could use a friendly reminder, the time is now to get outside, folks! Those walls are killing us!

Wallsarebad.com offers a user-friendly, one-stop portal, chock full of outdoor events, groups, clubs, outfitters and more. Of the 31 days in August, every single day had one or more activities planned except one. And September? 30 out of 30 days are packed with activities. Be sure to register so you are notified of happenings that pertain to your interests!

Want a quick visual on Walls are Bad? Check out these brief commericals. They've been airing on a number of local and cable television stations.

Events Continued

Resources

Public meetings on state water plan

Ohio Committee
Monday, September 8
Seven Fields Borough Community Center, Seven Fields
• 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Regional Committee regular business meeting
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Open House
• 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Public Meeting (DEP presentation and informal discussion period)
• 7:30 pm, Public Hearing begins
More information

The meetings and hearings are an opportunity for citizens to provide input on drafts of the updated State Water Plan. The plan presents water use data, water resources conservation and protection recommendations and facts and data portraying various water resource perspectives.

Summit for leaders working to save families from foreclosure

Monday, September 8
11:00 am – Noon
31st Floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, Downtown
For more information, visit http://www.phfa.org/hsgresources/fmf.aspx or call Charlotte Nelson at 717-780-3912.

Statistics indicate a strong likelihood that families right in your congregation, workplace, group or community are in danger of losing their homes through foreclosure. You don’t know who they are, and research shows they are unlikely to speak up or seek relief. As a leader, you are in a unique position to make the pitch that will help, but how? You're invited to a Relief Pitchers summit to learn more about specific ways you can help prevent foreclosures for homeowners right in your own backyard. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank), the Relief Pitchers summit offers expertise and advice on foreclosure issues and prevention.

Voter Education Training

September 8, 2008 and October 8, 2008
Choice of two sessions, beginning either at 8:00 am or 10:00 am.
Free
Lower level Homestead Grays Conference Room, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Building, One Smithfield Street, Downtown
Registration Deadline: August 29.
Email registration form to Pam Williams at pwilliams@ulpgh.org or fax to 412-227-4870.
Call Pam at 412-227-4160 for more information.
Registration form

The Greater Pittsburgh/Mon Valley Unity ’08 Coalition, B-PEP (Black Political Empowerment Project), PA Voice, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, the Greater Pittsburgh Non Profit Partnership, Everybody VOTES and others are joining efforts to increase voter participation in the upcoming elections. Come to the training and get equipped to register your constituents to vote and, thereby, help to increase our region’s civic participation. Each will feature prominent speakers and experts in the area of voter registration and voter rights protection.

Speakers will include: Khari Mosely, National Political Field Director, League of Young Voters Education Fund; George Pillsbury, Policy and Development Director, Non Profit Voter Engagement Network (Boston Office); and Celeste Taylor, Vice-Chair, B-PEP (Black Political Empowerment Project), and Director, Election Administration and Protection, PA Voice.

YWCA seeks nominations for 2008 Racial Justice Awards

Deadline for nominations is Friday, September 12
Nomination forms are available online at www.ywcapgh.org.
Contact: 412-255-1466 or rja@ywcapgh.org

Do you know an individual, company or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to eliminating racism and promoting racial equity? The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s Office of Racial Diversity and Inclusion is currently seeking nominations for the 2008 Racial Justice Awards. This year’s Awards will include the following categories: Community Engagement, Company/Business, Education, Faith-Based, Government, Legal, Public Safety, and Youth Leadership. Awards will be presented at the 17th annual Racial Justice Awards Dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, November 19, at the Westin Hotel, downtown Pittsburgh. Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 412-255-1258.

David Lewis Urban Design Lecture: Joan Busquets

Monday, September 15
6:00 pm
Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, Oakland

Joan Busquets, world-renowned Spanish architect and urban planner, served as Head of Urban Planning for the Barcelona City Council from 1983 to 1989 and in the preparations fo the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Busquets has participated in strategic urban planning and design for The Hague, Lisbon, Marseilles, Rotterdam, Singapore, and Sao Paulo. Busquets is the first Martin Bucksbaum Professor in Practice of Urban Planning and Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Prior to joining the Harvard faculty, he was Professor of Town Planning in the School or Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Barcelona from 1979 until 2002. Event cosponsored by the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University and the Heinz Architectural Center at Carnegie Museum of Art. Underwritten by Urban Design Associates.

Green Technology Network: Why Green Is Good

Wednesday, September 17
7:30 am - Noon
Free
More information

With today’s market realities –- rising energy costs; shrinking power and space capacity; increased regulatory scrutiny and higher customer expectations -- going green is not only socially responsible, it’s an economic imperative. This event will address how to get started, green benefits being achieved today and thoughtful approach to building a green strategy for your entire organization. The event features keynote speaker, Charles Lockwood, green real estate authority and author of the article “Building the Green Way”, published in the June 2006 Harvard Business Review and reprinted in 2008 as the first chapter of its book "Harvard Business Review on Green Business Strategy." Presented in partnership with IBM and the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Software Training

September 18-19
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
The O’Neill Room, 23rd floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, Downtown
Fee: Participants invoiced $150/person upon completion of training. Lunch, refreshments, and materials included.
To register contact: Ms. Dee Pamplin, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission at (412) 391-5590, x 301 or dpamplin@spcregion.org.
Questions about the GIS Training or about SPC’s GIS data? Contact Kirk Brethauer at (412) 391-5590, x 347 or kbrethauer@spcregion.org. Special needs requests should contact Kirk in advance.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is again partnering with the Penn State Land Analysis Laboratory to offer one, 2-day GIS software training session, focusing on Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) ArcView / ArcGIS 9.x software and available regional data resources to address the needs of SPC member counties, local governments and associated agencies. The course is open to staff from local governments. The Introduction to ArcGIS course is for those new to GIS, and registrants should know how to use the Windows Operating System. Please review the course description for more information and a preliminary agenda. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 20.

Putting Intergovernmental Cooperation to Work: Employing Multi-municipal Planning to Link Communities and Conserve Costs

Friday, September 19
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Sheraton Station Square
Free, but pre-registration is required.
More information

Development patterns of the last 20 years have resulted in the spreading of residential, commercial, and office development over a wide auto-dependant area. A significant consequence of this trend is to largely separate where people live and where people work. In an era of rising fuel costs, this produces a dilemma for both employers and employees.

Local governments have a key role in responding to this situation. By moving from existing systems of intergovernmental cooperation to vital systems of intergovernmental coordination, local governments can help citizens save money, improve the quality of life and shore up their municipal budgets.

Sponsored by Comcast, and in partnership with the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, the 2008 Road to Excellence Conference will focus on access to employment, multi-municipal planning, developments of regional impact and tools currently available that expand intermunicipal coordination.

2008 Rachel Carson Legacy Conference

Green Chemistry: Solutions for a Healthy Economy
Saturday, September 20
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Powers Conference Center, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh PA
Registration: Adults $25.00; Students $10.00
Act 48 credit will be available for teachers.
Register online

The Rachel Carson Legacy Conference: “Green Chemistry: Solutions for a Healthy Economy” addresses the underlying need to design the toxicity and hazardous component out of consumer products and the processes that make them. The conference draws together 15 outstanding speakers including Dr. Paul Anastas, the founder of the principles of green chemistry, Dr. Terry Collins, Thomas Lord Professor of Green Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh recipients of the EPA Green Chemistry Awards, and entrepreneurial companies who are using green chemistry to solve problems. Dr. Ruth Etzel and Dr. Bruce Lanphear will address the epidemiology and the pediatric implications of significant environmental contaminants, with an emphasis on how designing them out of the system can improve the prognosis.

Future Leaders Initiative for Students

September 21-24
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown
Special Student Rate: 15-$30 per day. Special form must be completed by September 12th to get this deal (thereafter the discounted rate is $20-$40 per day)
More information

The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) and the College and University Recycling Council (CURC) are pleased to partner with Novelis to introduce the Future Leaders Initiative at its 2008 Congress in Pittsburgh September 21-24. NRC is offering a special discounted student rate. The initiative opens the door for student leaders to interact with recycling professionals and learn about industry trends and best practices, while exploring how you can translate your campus experience into careers in the field. In addition to discounted registration, special sessions and networking opportunities for students have been added to this year's program.

Climate Change Update: Recent Federal and State Developments Affecting Business & Industry

A free webinar
Wednesday, September 24
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
RSVP by September 19 to Vicki Landa at vlanda@bccz.com or 412-394-6537. Please provide email address and phone number at time of registration.

Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. invites you to particiate in a free climate change webinar discussing recent U.S. EPA proposed rulemakings regarding the regulation of greenhouse gases, underground carbon sequestration wells, Pennsylvania legislative deveopments, and emerging litigation issues. This is an opportunity to receive a concise and timely update on climate change legal issues that may affect your business from experienced attorneys in BCCZ's Climate Change Group ahead of the upcoming rulemaking comment deadlines.

Reinhabiting Campus Neighborhoods: A Statewide Symposium

Wednesday, September 24
10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Crimson Event Center, Olive K. Folger Hall, Indiana, PA
Fee: $70 PA Chapter of APA Member; $75 PLCM or PSAB; $85 Non-Member
More information

This fall, two symposiums on the issues surrounding “campus neighborhoods” will be offered by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities (PLCM) and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB).

The central focus of the symposium revolves around the conditions and future of campus neighborhoods in college towns. “Campus neighborhoods” are the ring of neighborhoods situated immediately adjacent to the college campus proper. These are typically neighborhoods of single family homes that have been converted to student housing. These “studentified” neighborhoods are often subject to conflict, blight, and displacement effects--effects that erode the fabric of the community and negatively impact the “bottom line” of the host municipality.

At the full-day symposium, a series of mini-lectures will introduce the issues surrounding campus neighborhood planning. Each of these mini-lectures will be followed by an interactive discussion anchored by panels from college towns across the region. In this discussion participants will square their experiences with other host communities through a series of question and answer sessions. Participants will return to their communities with a greater understanding of methods employed and lessons learned by other host communities.

Celebration Saturday

Saturday, September 27
A Trail Town near you
Noon - 4 pm

Celebration Saturday is in celebration of the Great Allegheny Passage and trailside communities. The towns of West Newton, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, Rockwood, and Meyersdale will simultaneously host community and cycling activities. The event will include public art unveilings, bike decorating, bike parades, children's scavenger hunts, interpretive trail rides, musical entertainment, bicycle giveaways, and more.

Celebration Saturday kicks off a week of Pittsburgh 250 bike activities that concludes in Pittsburgh on October 4 with the PNC Legacy Ride, a community trail ride from the South Side to downtown Pittsburgh for the grand re-opening of Point State Park. To learn more about Pittsburgh 250, the PNC Legacy Ride, and related activities, visit www.imaginepittsburgh.com. Full details on Celebration Saturday will soon be available there and also at www.trailtowns.org.

In Celebration of Wild Places: Connecting People to Nature

Wednesday, October 8
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, Oakland
Tickets: $15 for adults; $5 for those under 18
More information

The Sierra Club, Allegheny Group and six other groups are sponsoring a slide lecture by African-American nature photographer Dudley Edmondson, who has spoken on this theme across the country at the invitation of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The slide program will be followed by a panel discussion of the challenges and benefits to the minority community of expanding participation in outdoor activities. Panelists include:
•Bill Strickland, president and founder of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
•Mamie Parker, former asst. secretary, US Fish and Wildlife Service
•Mario Browne, Center for Minority Health, University of Pittsburgh
•Sarah Jamella Martin, Wilderness Educator, Pittsburgh Public Schools
•and Dudley Edmondson.

Resources

Scientists Report Further Shrinking of Arctic Ice, Area Is Close To All-Time Low

Arctic sea ice has shrunk to the second-lowest level since record-keeping began three decades ago, a group of international researchers determined yesterday, a revelation underscoring how rapidly climate change is transforming ecosystems in northern latitudes.

The extent of Arctic sea ice is now 2 million square miles below the long-term average for Aug. 26, according to the International Arctic Research Center and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, a figure that is within 400,000 square miles of the all-time record low set in September 2007. This figure is already below the long-term average for September ice cover and because the ice traditionally reaches its minimum level in mid-September, researchers warned that a new low might be recorded within weeks.

Related:
Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes, Public Review Draft for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2

Design a cost-saving way to green old buildings, win $5000

Crafty undergrads who can come up with an innovative, low-cost approach to "greening" old buildings may reap a hefty $5,000 cash prize. . . Contestants must create a product or system that pays for itself in savings over a one-year period, such as reducing electricity consumption. Projects will be judged on originality, potential for success and the level to which they allow people to maintain their quality of life.

More

School districts keep turning curriculum, buildings green

As more public attention is focused on environmental issues, school districts this year are going to never-before-seen shades of "green." Where environmental correctness used to involve a basic recycling program or an outdoor education class, districts now are coming up with programs, practices, curriculums -- and even new buildings -- that emphasize environmental awareness.

A lovely stroll with your ... kayak?

A 45-year-old Morningside man has begun wheeling his kayak across bridges in part "to illustrate the continuing disconnectedness of the city with its rivers."

Lots of energy goes into saving Cranberry resources

The fast-growing township is far ahead of other communities in the state in looking toward a planned future, said Court Gould, executive director of Sustainable Pittsburgh. "In addition to using wastewater for the golf course, Cranberry has been a pioneer in the use of impact fees and progressive zoning that encouraged mixed-use development," Gould said.

Wind power company plans Pittsburgh location

The principals of EverPower, cofounders Jim Spencer and Andrew Golembeski, have close to 40 years of experience in green energy. “The Pittsburgh region was a very logical choice for our business expansion as it is known for a very talented engineering workforce,” said Spencer, President and CEO of EverPower, in a prepared statement.

URA overwhelmed by desire to build green

The Urban Redevelopment Authority's "green" loan initiative will count 11 energy-efficient homes and an architects' studio as complete by its first anniversary in October -- a decent start considering how long development takes.

Cranberry tries to sustain 'green' growth

Mr. Trant said that sustainability is a high priority for Cranberry residents, and a factor that young professionals often consider when choosing a community. He also said the report is just one aspect of Cranberry's effort to produce an atmosphere that is conducive to sustainable development.

The ROI of Sustainability

Chegg.com founder Rashid insists the smartest way to make money is to focus on being a trendsetter, staying at the front, while staying environmentally aware. That's what Chegg.com did, and its customers have rewarded the company through positive word-of-mouth marketing, which, in turn, has generated plenty of -- you guessed it -- green.

Wiggling Plastic at River Bottom to Generate Electricity

Weiland's smart materials project is only one small part of the larger effort to turn Vandergrift from steel town to green town. A farmer's market, solar panels, and education programs on energy conservation have been or will be put in place to further help reduce the town's energy consumption. If all of those efforts are successful Weiland estimates a PVDF-based smart materials grid could generate as much as 40 percent of the town's power. But the cooperation and motivation of the town are essential to reach that mark, said Weiland. "Smart technologies can take us an important part of the way [towards sustainability]," said Weiland. "But they can't do all of it."

Dow Jones, CCX launch carbon emissions indexes

Dow Jones Indexes and the Chicago Climate Exchange on Tuesday announced the launch of two new emissions indexes which give investors access to the soaring global carbon markets, expected to be worth more than $100 billion this year.

Getting on Board with Corporate Social Responsibility

"Long term investors are realizing that how the firm manages its social and environmental impacts and responds to social and environmental trends can affect long term firm performance," said Coro Strandberg, author of the report and principal of Strandberg Consulting, based in Burnaby, British Columbia.

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 2008 from:

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Richard King Mellon 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