February is Black History Month

February is National Black History Month. It is an opportunity to reflect on the history of African-Americans in Pennsylvania and the United States, to recognize the black community’s achievements and the progress that has been made, and to understand how much more needs to be done to ensure full equality for all Americans. I am proud to work towards that goal with the African-American communities in my district.
 

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Grants Available

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's Office of Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Alcohol Education has opened its 2010/2011 grant process. Funding is available to all colleges, universities, municipalities, school districts and community groups throughout the Commonwealth to help reduce and eliminate underage and dangerous use of alcohol.

The maximum award is $15,000.00 and only one application per entity is permitted. The submission deadline is February 25, 2010 at 4 p.m. Application information is available at www.lcb.state.pa.us (click Alcohol Education).

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Bureau of Alcohol Education at 717-772-1432. As always, my office also stands ready to assist you.
 

ACCESS and Port Authority Senior Bus Passes

Did you know that my offices have a sign-up agent for both ACCESS and senior bus passes for the Port Authority of Allegheny County? ACCESS is a shared ride, door-to-door transit, serving primarily senior citizens (65+) and persons with disabilities. This service is available by advance reservation and offers transit throughout Port Authority's service area. For more information on the requirements for either ACCESS or Senior Bus Passes, contact any one of my offices.
 

Concert for Haitian Relief

The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will be holding a Valentine’s Day benefit concert featuring local music acts The Clarks, The Freedom Band, and Good Brother Earl to benefit the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in Haiti. The event will take place on Sunday, February 14th at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. Doors will open at 5:30 pm for a silent auction that will include autographed sports memorabilia, gift certificates, and other great prizes. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, with all proceeds from both the silent auction and ticket sales going to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Tickets are available at Dave’s Music Mine, the William Pitt Union Ticket Office, the County Executive’s Office, or online at: www.clarkstickets.musictoday.com.
 

Going Green is Paying Off for the Pittsburgh Region

Pennsylvania’s Green Jobs Report was released earlier this week, detailing the outlook for green-industry careers and Pennsylvania’s investments in developing a green economy in the coming years. It’s positive news for the Pittsburgh region that is home to a large number of green companies. The Commonwealth’s investment of $10 billion in public and private funds, over the next three years, is expected to generate 115,000 green-industry jobs in the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania is already a national leader in the number of green-economy jobs and organizations in our region are working to make sure that Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are part of that statistic. Several local workforce investment boards in southwestern Pennsylvania are marketing green occupations through their PA CareerLink® offices. The consortium of local workforce investment boards developed a Clean Tech Resource Manual that profiles more than 90 occupations tied to the energy industry. Included in the profiles are an occupational overview, employment and wage data, educational requirements and related occupations.

In Southwest Pennsylvania, a new labor-management clearinghouse has been established, with foundation and state support, to create new green pathways out of poverty. The initiative builds on prior industry partnership efforts in three sectors: construction, utilities and energy. An effort is also under way to add weatherization as a career entry point, with promotion possibilities into construction, utilities or the fast growing private energy efficiency market. Click here to view the report.

 

American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb

The American Lung Association is holding its 4th annual Fight for Air Climb on Saturday, March 6th at the Gulf Tower in Downtown Pittsburgh to raise money to help improve the air quality of our community. For more information on the event, how to register, and what else you can do to help, visit http://www.lungusa.org/donate/events/fight-for-air-climb/, click on ‘Pennsylvania,’ and then on ‘Pittsburgh.’
 

Offices Will Be Closed February 15th

In observance of the President’s Day Holiday, all Senate offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th, but will reopen the morning of Tuesday, February 16th. The official name for what we know as President’s Day is Washington's Birthday. In 1971, President Richard Nixon proclaimed one single federal holiday to honor all past Presidents of the United States.
 

Fontana Fact!

Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson
(April 27, 1945 - October 2, 2005) is one of the most influential writers in American theater. Born in Pittsburgh, he is best known for his unprecedented cycle of 10 plays, often called the Pittsburgh Cycle because all but one play is set in the Pittsburgh neighborhood where August Wilson grew up. The series of plays chronicle the tragedies and aspirations of African Americans during each decade of the 20th century.