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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Spend an evening in the islands with Tom Watt, the #1 Jimmy Buffett impersonator
January 15, 2011
7:00-11:00
Skyview Firehall - off Rt. 885 by Pat Bus Garage
$25/person or $45/couple
Ticket includes show, buffet and draft beer.
Benefits West Mifflin Titan High School Football and Cheerleaders
Tickets and info: Lori-412-759-4728
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Niners' new interim coach made mark at Steel Valley
Not everyone knows that Jim Tomsula, the interim coach of the San Francisco 49ers, played for a championship team at Steel Valley High School in 1984.
Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak and Woodland Hills' George Novak are two who do.
Tomsula, 43, and Cherpak were shoulder-to-shoulder offensive and defensive linemen for Novak, then the Steel Valley coach, when they won the WPIAL Big Ten Conference with a 10-0 regular-season record.
"He was Pittsburgh all the way through," Cherpak said of Tomsula, a native of Homestead. "He was tough. He was the worker. He didn't get as much attention because he was shorter (6-foot, 255 pounds), but he was just as good a player as anybody else."
Tomsula had been the 49ers' defensive line coach since 2007, keeping his job when Mike Singletary replaced former head coach Mike Nolan in 2008. Ultimately, Tomsula replaced Singletary, who was fired Sunday with one game left in the season.
True to Cherpak's description, Tomsula was working when he got word of the coaching change Sunday night. Immediately after arriving from St. Louis, where the 49ers had lost to the Rams to fall to 5-10, Tomsula started watching film, preparing for the next game.
Jed York, 49ers president and CEO, said Tomsula apologized to him Monday for not wearing a suit and tie to his introductory news conference. Tomsula was so focused on his job that he never made it home to change clothes.
Tomsula has a long coaching resume that began after he played at Middle Tennessee State and Catawba (N.C.) College. Initially, he worked in the food service industry before beginning a coaching career at Charleston Southern (S.C.) University in 1997 -- against his father's wishes.
Cherpak, who remains close friends with Tomsula and his family, remembers Tomsula's father saying, "This coaching will never take you anywhere."
Undaunted, Tomsula coached at Catawba in the fall and NFL Europe in the spring and summer, working for the England Monarchs, Scottish Claymores, Berlin Thunder and Rhein Fire from 1998-2006. He was Rhein's head coach in '06.
"He was a fighter," Cherpak said. "He was one of those guys who busted his butt in everything he did. In the summer, he would work in construction and go straight to work out."
This summer, Tomsula, Cherpak and Novak organized a football camp at Thomas Jefferson for boys with Down Syndrome. A total of 40 attended, many of whom were playing football for the first time. Tomsula conducted a similar camp in California.
Tomsula's wife Julie has invited Cherpak to the 49ers' home game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. It's a big day for the family, because Tomsula is not expected to keep the job.
"I'm on a one-week calendar," he said.
No matter what happens in the future, Novak and Cherpak do not expect Tomsula to change.
"He's a regular guy," Novak said.
Said Cherpak: "He is hometown. You would never know he is a head coach. You tackle. You block. There is only one ball on the field. He doesn't make it any harder than it is, any more important than it is."
By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Blast From the Past: Old Steel Mill Forges New Life as a Park
(Dec. 2) -- Preservationists outside Pittsburgh are fighting to put an abandoned steel mill back to work -- not so it can produce metal, but so it can protect history.
Since the blast furnaces fired up for the last time at the Carrie Furnace in 1978, the decaying steel mill on the bank of the Monongahela River has served as a solemn reminder of the industry that turned Pittsburgh into a thriving city -- then left it polluted and jobless.
Now, more than three decades after the Carrie Furnace went from being a bustling workplace for 4,000 employees to a 168-acre ghost town, a team of preservationists is trying to convert the remains of the hulking factory in Rankin, Pa., into a museum dedicated to the region's steel history.
"Pittsburgh is known for steel," said Sherris Moreira, a spokeswoman for Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp., the group spearheading the preservation project. "There is this pride that people here have for their steel heritage -- and this is a tangible way for people to connect with that history."
Rivers of Steel hopes to preserve the remaining structures, transforming the industrial ruin into an interactive historical center inside a park.
At the heart of the proposed preservation project are the two remaining blast furnaces, which were built in 1907 and left largely unchanged until U.S. Steel halted operations at the Carrie Furnace.
The massive ovens are rare examples of pre-World War II steel-making technology -- and they could make the perfect centerpiece for the proposed museum, according to Rivers of Steel curator of collections Tiffani Emig.
"They were never invested in for improvements and they were never upgraded. Everything was done by hand up until the day it closed," Emig said. "That's what makes them special."
Those industrial relics -- along with five other furnaces that were demolished -- manufactured as much as 1,200 tons of iron per day, creating metals used in the construction of the Empire State Building and St. Louis' Gateway Arch.
When the blast furnaces were operational, they turned ore, coke and limestone flux into a molten metal that was transported by rail across the aptly named "Hot Metal Bridge" to U.S. Steel's Homestead Works, where it was converted into steel.
The Homestead Works were razed in 1988 and the site was converted into a shopping mall in 1999. Today, all that remains of the historic steel mill are the smokestacks, which tower over a movie theater parking lot across the river from the Carrie Furnace.
The Carrie Furnace has already been deemed a National Historic Landmark, meaning it likely won't meet the same fate as the Homestead Works. But that doesn't mean the site isn't in danger.
When industry moved out, nature moved in. Tree roots have undermined the stability of some Carrie Furnace buildings, and grapevines scale the superstructure of the sprawling mill. Foxes, hawks and deer have recently been spotted on the site -- and they're not the only new visitors.
The abandoned steel mill has become a destination for graffiti artists, paintball players, vagrants and vandals who strip the site and sell the stolen scrap metal.
"The wiring and anything else that can be scrapped has been taken out," said Emig, who told AOL News she's often chased away uninvited visitors. "With the graffiti, the paint wears off. It's the people who are physically stripping the site who are the problem."
Rivers of Steel plans to restore some parts of the Carrie Furnace to look the way they did when the plant was operational. But other parts -- like a massive sculpture of a deer head built from metal and wire in the 1990s by the Industrial Arts Co-Op -- will remain as they are today.
"We will preserve some of the graffiti, definitely the deer," Emig said. "This site didn't die in 1978. This place continued to be used, and we want to show that."
Even if Rivers of Steel gets its wish and is able to preserve the remaining steel mill structures, the rest of the 168-acre property could look very different in the coming years. Allegheny County owns the entire site and began renting the Carrie Furnace buildings to Rivers of Steel in May.
County officials are looking for builders interested in bringing light manufacturing and residential development to the rest of the grassy plot.
New businesses or homes near the old steel mill will certainly change the site's context, but they won't compromise the Carrie Furnace as a historic site, according to Emig.
"It's already compromised," she said. "There's only two furnaces left; there used to be seven. You work with what you have."
The most important thing the Carrie Furnace has is its historic site, according to Arthur Ziegler, president of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.
"We have saved artifacts from the mills -- blowing engines, a Bessemer converter and so forth -- but we had to relocate them," Ziegler said. "But this will be the first time it's all preserved on site."
Obviously, making the dilapidated steel mill a safe destination for sightseers isn't going to be easy -- or cheap.
The group's "bare-bones cost estimate" for the project is $78 million. Current funding only allows for repairs of a severely damaged roof at one of the powerhouses.
To fund other projects, like securing shaky catwalks, clearing out tons of debris from the mill's stock house, or perhaps building a monorail like the one depicted in flashy conceptual images of the historic center, the group will seek public funding and private donations.
There's talk of approaching the National Parks Service for help, but it's unclear whether the cash-strapped agency would be interested in or able to offer assistance.
Though finances are a concern, Moreira says she's been encouraged by the interest in the project.
"Heritage matters," said Moreira, whose group has given tours of the Carrie Furnace to more than 700 eager visitors in the past two months. "It's not only important to know where we come from, but it's important looking into the future.
According to Moreira, many Pittsburghers have started looking to the city's steel-making roots as a source of pride.
"There was a lot of bitterness when the steel went away. People wanted to move on. But now people are at the point where they want to look back," she said.
"This isn't just steel; it's about emotions."
AOL News
December 2, 2010
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/02/blast-from-the-past-old-steel-mill-forges-new-life-as-a-park/
Since the blast furnaces fired up for the last time at the Carrie Furnace in 1978, the decaying steel mill on the bank of the Monongahela River has served as a solemn reminder of the industry that turned Pittsburgh into a thriving city -- then left it polluted and jobless.
Now, more than three decades after the Carrie Furnace went from being a bustling workplace for 4,000 employees to a 168-acre ghost town, a team of preservationists is trying to convert the remains of the hulking factory in Rankin, Pa., into a museum dedicated to the region's steel history.
"Pittsburgh is known for steel," said Sherris Moreira, a spokeswoman for Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp., the group spearheading the preservation project. "There is this pride that people here have for their steel heritage -- and this is a tangible way for people to connect with that history."
Rivers of Steel hopes to preserve the remaining structures, transforming the industrial ruin into an interactive historical center inside a park.
At the heart of the proposed preservation project are the two remaining blast furnaces, which were built in 1907 and left largely unchanged until U.S. Steel halted operations at the Carrie Furnace.
The massive ovens are rare examples of pre-World War II steel-making technology -- and they could make the perfect centerpiece for the proposed museum, according to Rivers of Steel curator of collections Tiffani Emig.
"They were never invested in for improvements and they were never upgraded. Everything was done by hand up until the day it closed," Emig said. "That's what makes them special."
Those industrial relics -- along with five other furnaces that were demolished -- manufactured as much as 1,200 tons of iron per day, creating metals used in the construction of the Empire State Building and St. Louis' Gateway Arch.
When the blast furnaces were operational, they turned ore, coke and limestone flux into a molten metal that was transported by rail across the aptly named "Hot Metal Bridge" to U.S. Steel's Homestead Works, where it was converted into steel.
The Homestead Works were razed in 1988 and the site was converted into a shopping mall in 1999. Today, all that remains of the historic steel mill are the smokestacks, which tower over a movie theater parking lot across the river from the Carrie Furnace.
The Carrie Furnace has already been deemed a National Historic Landmark, meaning it likely won't meet the same fate as the Homestead Works. But that doesn't mean the site isn't in danger.
When industry moved out, nature moved in. Tree roots have undermined the stability of some Carrie Furnace buildings, and grapevines scale the superstructure of the sprawling mill. Foxes, hawks and deer have recently been spotted on the site -- and they're not the only new visitors.
The abandoned steel mill has become a destination for graffiti artists, paintball players, vagrants and vandals who strip the site and sell the stolen scrap metal.
"The wiring and anything else that can be scrapped has been taken out," said Emig, who told AOL News she's often chased away uninvited visitors. "With the graffiti, the paint wears off. It's the people who are physically stripping the site who are the problem."
Rivers of Steel plans to restore some parts of the Carrie Furnace to look the way they did when the plant was operational. But other parts -- like a massive sculpture of a deer head built from metal and wire in the 1990s by the Industrial Arts Co-Op -- will remain as they are today.
"We will preserve some of the graffiti, definitely the deer," Emig said. "This site didn't die in 1978. This place continued to be used, and we want to show that."
Even if Rivers of Steel gets its wish and is able to preserve the remaining steel mill structures, the rest of the 168-acre property could look very different in the coming years. Allegheny County owns the entire site and began renting the Carrie Furnace buildings to Rivers of Steel in May.
County officials are looking for builders interested in bringing light manufacturing and residential development to the rest of the grassy plot.
New businesses or homes near the old steel mill will certainly change the site's context, but they won't compromise the Carrie Furnace as a historic site, according to Emig.
"It's already compromised," she said. "There's only two furnaces left; there used to be seven. You work with what you have."
The most important thing the Carrie Furnace has is its historic site, according to Arthur Ziegler, president of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.
"We have saved artifacts from the mills -- blowing engines, a Bessemer converter and so forth -- but we had to relocate them," Ziegler said. "But this will be the first time it's all preserved on site."
Obviously, making the dilapidated steel mill a safe destination for sightseers isn't going to be easy -- or cheap.
The group's "bare-bones cost estimate" for the project is $78 million. Current funding only allows for repairs of a severely damaged roof at one of the powerhouses.
To fund other projects, like securing shaky catwalks, clearing out tons of debris from the mill's stock house, or perhaps building a monorail like the one depicted in flashy conceptual images of the historic center, the group will seek public funding and private donations.
There's talk of approaching the National Parks Service for help, but it's unclear whether the cash-strapped agency would be interested in or able to offer assistance.
Though finances are a concern, Moreira says she's been encouraged by the interest in the project.
"Heritage matters," said Moreira, whose group has given tours of the Carrie Furnace to more than 700 eager visitors in the past two months. "It's not only important to know where we come from, but it's important looking into the future.
Sponsored Links
In the years since the steel industry left Pittsburgh, the "Steel City" has in many ways attempted to distance itself from its metal-producing past. But the city's industrial legacy lives on -- and not just in the name of its football team and local beer.According to Moreira, many Pittsburghers have started looking to the city's steel-making roots as a source of pride.
"There was a lot of bitterness when the steel went away. People wanted to move on. But now people are at the point where they want to look back," she said.
"This isn't just steel; it's about emotions."
AOL News
December 2, 2010
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/02/blast-from-the-past-old-steel-mill-forges-new-life-as-a-park/
Batch, Steelers take part in annual 'Batch of Toys' drive
Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch scored a touchdown for local children as he hosted his fifth annual Collect a Batch of Toys drive.
People lined up outside and around Dave & Buster’s restaurant in Homestead Tuesday afternoon to donate a toy and get an autograph or picture taken with Batch and his Steelers teammates.
“It’s sad to know that so many kids don’t have the opportunities that other kids have,” Batch said. “I’ve delivered thousands of toys for the holidays, and every year when the last toy is delivered, I always wish I had more of them to give.”
The Homestead native said he is happy to serve and bring attention to his hometown and the Pittsburgh area.
“This is where I’m from and I see the impact the Steelers have,” he said.
Other Steelers in attendance included James Farrior, Ryan Mundy, Dennis Dixon, Max Starks, Flozell Adams, Maurkice Pouncey, Crezdon Butler, Ramon Foster, Matt Spaeth and Frank Summers.
Batch said he appreciates the assistance he gets from his teammates, who also brought numerous toys to donate.
“They’ve been supportive of everything I’ve done,” he said.
Dixon said it’s great to see Batch helping out his hometown.
“He’s my role model for the way he represents himself on and off the field,” he said.
Batch said he’s appreciative so many people came out to donate toys.
“This is the fifth year and it keeps growing every year,” he said.
In the past four years, the drive has distributed more than 25,000 toys to children in need.
The quarterback personally delivers the toys to children and their families at The Salvation Army, the Women’s Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Children’s Hospital of UPMC of Pittsburgh, financially challenged families in Allegheny County and Toys for Tots.
“It’s a wonderful thing he does,” Batch’s mom Lynn Settles said. “I enjoy watching him give back to the community.”
Pittsburgh resident Jim Cottler and his son Jim Cottler Jr. have been coming to Batch’s toy drive every year.
“It gives toys to kids who can’t afford to have a Christmas,” he said. “Charlie does a lot of good for the community.”
Dave & Buster’s also was giving out a $10 Power Card for each donation.
“The players have a very busy lifestyle,” said Robert Marin, Dave & Buster’s general manager.
“I’m ecstatic they would take time out of their day to come to Dave and Buster’s for the toy drive.”
He said the restaurant is always looking for ways to help the community and jumped at being involved with the toy drive this year, when Nancy Bruce Harris of Clear Channel Radio mentioned it to him.
Toy donations of new, unwrapped toys still can be made at Best of the Batch Foundation offices, 2000 West St. in Munhall, through Dec. 20. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information or to arrange pickup of large donations, call the foundation office at 412-326-0119.
By Stacy Lee, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
People lined up outside and around Dave & Buster’s restaurant in Homestead Tuesday afternoon to donate a toy and get an autograph or picture taken with Batch and his Steelers teammates.
“It’s sad to know that so many kids don’t have the opportunities that other kids have,” Batch said. “I’ve delivered thousands of toys for the holidays, and every year when the last toy is delivered, I always wish I had more of them to give.”
The Homestead native said he is happy to serve and bring attention to his hometown and the Pittsburgh area.
“This is where I’m from and I see the impact the Steelers have,” he said.
Other Steelers in attendance included James Farrior, Ryan Mundy, Dennis Dixon, Max Starks, Flozell Adams, Maurkice Pouncey, Crezdon Butler, Ramon Foster, Matt Spaeth and Frank Summers.
Batch said he appreciates the assistance he gets from his teammates, who also brought numerous toys to donate.
“They’ve been supportive of everything I’ve done,” he said.
Dixon said it’s great to see Batch helping out his hometown.
“He’s my role model for the way he represents himself on and off the field,” he said.
Batch said he’s appreciative so many people came out to donate toys.
“This is the fifth year and it keeps growing every year,” he said.
In the past four years, the drive has distributed more than 25,000 toys to children in need.
The quarterback personally delivers the toys to children and their families at The Salvation Army, the Women’s Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Children’s Hospital of UPMC of Pittsburgh, financially challenged families in Allegheny County and Toys for Tots.
“It’s a wonderful thing he does,” Batch’s mom Lynn Settles said. “I enjoy watching him give back to the community.”
Pittsburgh resident Jim Cottler and his son Jim Cottler Jr. have been coming to Batch’s toy drive every year.
“It gives toys to kids who can’t afford to have a Christmas,” he said. “Charlie does a lot of good for the community.”
Dave & Buster’s also was giving out a $10 Power Card for each donation.
“The players have a very busy lifestyle,” said Robert Marin, Dave & Buster’s general manager.
“I’m ecstatic they would take time out of their day to come to Dave and Buster’s for the toy drive.”
He said the restaurant is always looking for ways to help the community and jumped at being involved with the toy drive this year, when Nancy Bruce Harris of Clear Channel Radio mentioned it to him.
Toy donations of new, unwrapped toys still can be made at Best of the Batch Foundation offices, 2000 West St. in Munhall, through Dec. 20. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information or to arrange pickup of large donations, call the foundation office at 412-326-0119.
By Stacy Lee, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
PITTSBURGH STEELERS QB CHARLIE BATCH TO COLLECT A “BATCH OF TOYS”
CHARLIE BATCH TO HOST 5TH ANNUAL TOY DRIVE TO BENEFIT ‘TOYS FOR TOTS’ & THE BEST OF THE BATCH FOUNDATION ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2010
Homestead, PA – Pittsburgh Steelers QB Charlie Batch will lead the effort to collect a “Batch of Toys” in his 5th Annual Toy Drive to benefit “Toys For Tots” and the Best of The Batch Foundation next Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Dave & Buster’s at 180 E. Waterfront Drive in Homestead, PA.
Charlie Batch and his teammates will sign autographs for fans in exchange for donations of new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to less fortunate kids. Toys for children of all ages will be accepted, and those who make donations will receive a complimentary $10 Dave & Buster’s PowerCard.
In its first four years, the “Batch of Toys” program has distributed more than 25,000 toys to needy children, and Charlie’s goal this year is to exceed 10,000 toys.
“It’s sad to know that so many kids don’t have the opportunities that other kids have,” said Batch. “I’ve delivered thousands of toys for the holidays, and every year when the last toy is delivered, I always wish I had more of them to give.”
Charlie personally delivers toys, along with smiles and joy to children and families at The Salvation Army, the Women’s Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Jail, Children’s Hospital, to financially challenged families in Allegheny County and to Toys for Tots.
In addition to the Dave & Buster’s location, toy donations can also be made at The Best of the Batch Foundation offices now through December 20th at 2000 West Street in Munhall, PA. Office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday. The pickup of large donations can be scheduled by calling the foundation office at 412.326.0119. Additional information about the “Batch of Toys” program and additional donation information is available at www.batchfoundation.org.
For updated information on Charlie Batch & his Best of the Batch Foundation, fans can follow on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/BestoftheBatchFoundation
Charlie Batch in the News:Watch Charlie Batch on ESPN First Take with Jay Crawford (http://bit.ly/cKUW3B), talking about Ben Roethlisberger's return, the Steelers start to the year at 3-1, his Best of the Batch Foundation, Project CHUCK Youth Basketball League, mentoring Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor, Eastern Michigan football and the Best of the Batch Foundation. Read about Batch’s mentorship of Pryor in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review at http://bit.ly/dCS9Qs and his motivation for establishing the Best of the Batch Foundation in this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article: http://bit.ly/aydX6f.
The Best of the Batch Foundation is a registered non-profit foundation founded in 1999 by NFL quarterback Charlie Batch. The Best of the Batch Foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities and guidance to disadvantaged youth in the city of Pittsburgh, PA and surrounding areas through programs designed to encourage academic excellence through sports, positive motivation and community pride. For more information on the foundation, its programs, or how to contribute, please contact Latasha Wilson, Executive Director, at 412-326-0119, lwilson@batchfoundation.org, or visit the website at www.batchfoundation.org.
Governor Rendell: New State Investments Will Create Thousands of New Jobs in Allegheny County
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Pennsylvania has awarded $84 million for 19 projects throughout Allegheny County that will provide the foundation for the creation of more than 10,000 new jobs.
"We've been investing in Pennsylvania communities and businesses since the start of my administration with great success," the Governor said. "The 19 new investments we are announcing today will go a long way toward ensuring the health and viability of these communities for many years to come."
Funding for the 19 projects comes from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which operates on a reimbursement basis as construction expenses are billed and paid on projects that have been approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.
In addition to the state's $84 million investment, the projects will leverage $165 million in private support.
Point Park University will receive a $2.5 million RACP grant from Governor Rendell for the construction of a park at Wood Street and Boulevard of the Allies. The new facility will improve the quality of life for visitors and residents of the neighborhood by replacing a surface parking lot with greenery and water features. It will also be a key component of the university's academic village initiative.
Governor Rendell said Pennsylvania has strategically used its ability to borrow money for vital community projects like these. Wall Street debt-rating agencies, like Moody's Investors Services, consistently categorize the commonwealth's debt burden as low.
"Programs like RACP and investments like these have helped to keep Pennsylvania's construction industry going despite the economic downturn. These investments, and others like it that we have made across the state for the past 8 years, have helped to keep Pennsylvania's unemployment rate below the national average for 91 of the 94 past months," Governor Rendell said.
For more information about economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.
Media contact: Gary Tuma, 717-783-1116
Editor's Note: A list of the projects Governor Rendell announced today, and the amount of funding each project received from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, is below.
Clinton Industrial Park, $8 million for Phase Two, the development of industrial and commercial sites at or surrounding the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport. The $20 million project is anticipated to create more than 2,000 permanent direct and indirect jobs, as well as 180 temporary construction jobs.
Westport Development/Findlay Industrial Park, $3 million for the project's second phase, which will extend Solar Drive in the Findlay Industrial Park, adding approximately 2,700 linear feet of roadway along with all utilities. The project will create 244 acres of development-ready land, which can be subdivided and sold to warehouse and distribution users ranging from 40,000 square feet to 1 million square feet. The $6.5 million project is expected to create 2,151 permanent jobs and 140 temporary construction jobs.
McKeesport Industrial Center, $5 million for Phase Two, the continued remediation and development of a 133-acre brownfield site along the Monongahela River in McKeesport. The project includes demolition, construction, renovation and infrastructure enhancements that will open 65 acres of the site. Future remediated space will focus on the continued growth of the flex park for business and industrial development. The $10 million project is expected to create 265 new jobs and 120 construction jobs, and it will retain 841 existing jobs.
Tech One Business Park, Monroeville, $3 million to continue constructing Stroschein Road to serve as an additional entrance into Bechtel Corporation. The project will alleviate traffic and safety issues for an adjacent residential community that currently has hundreds of cars from the business using a residential street to enter and exit the business park. This will open about 100 acres of the adjoining vacant and underutilized business park for development. The $12 million project is expected to create 200 permanent and 60 construction jobs, and will retain 549 existing positions.
Carrie Furnace Hot Metal Bridge, $5 million, for the remediation and rehabilitation of an existing hot metal bridge located in the Munhall and Rankin boroughs. The project will vehicular and pedestrian traffic and link the Carrie Furnace brownfield to State Route 837 and allow greater access to the area. The $35 million project is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs at the redevelopment site, as well as 150 temporary construction jobs.
McClaren Business Park, Findlay Township, $5 million, for the construction of a new road that will connect to McClaren Road near the interchange with I-376. Several shovel-ready sites will be opened and prepared for development. The $11 million project is expected to create 400 permanent jobs and 250 construction jobs.
Tech 21, Marshall Township, $3 million, for the preparation of pad-ready sites in the Tech 21 development as well as general improvements to its entrance of the development and existing wetlands. The $6 million project is expected to create 4,267 permanent jobs and 200 construction jobs.
City Center - Duquesne Redevelopment, $5 million, for the continued remediation and development of a 240-acre brownfield along the Monongahela River. This phase of the $10 million project will open 75 new acres of development, create 410 permanent jobs and 165 construction jobs, and will retain 686 existing positions.
Point Park University Academic Village, $2.5 million, for the construction of an urban park at Wood Street and Boulevard of the Allies in what is now a surface parking lot. The park will add green space, a water feature, and a premier restaurant opportunity to the neighborhood, and is a key component of key component of the university's Academic Village initiative. The $7.5 million project is expected to create 310 construction jobs.
Robert Morris University School of Business Complex, Moon Township, $5 million, for an 18,000-square-foot facility that will include classroom space, the PNC Trading Center, the U.S. Steel Videoconferencing and Technology Resource Center, and the Allegheny Technologies Global Business Library. The $10.4 million project is expected to create 20 permanent jobs and 250 temporary construction jobs.
Robert Morris University Nursing Simulation Center, $5 million, for a 19,000-square-foot nursing simulation education, research and training facility. The center will contribute significantly to the research and training of health care professionals in southwestern Pennsylvania. The $11 million project is expected to create 13 permanent jobs and 250 temporary construction jobs.
2600 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh, $5 million, for the acquisition, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of a prominent historic seven-story structure in the South Side Flats neighborhood. The structure will be transformed into a mixed-use building that will contain approximately 87 one- and two-bedroom rental apartments plus 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space. The $27.8 million project is expected to create 55 permanent jobs and 125 construction jobs.
Residences at the Strip (Armstrong Cork II), $1.5 million, for the construction of a four-story building that will offer 90 market-rate residential rental units on Railroad Street (between 24th and 25th Streets) in Pittsburgh. The $18.34 million project is expected to create 15 permanent jobs and 125 construction jobs.
Downtown Preservation, $4 million, for the restoration and preservation projects on smaller-scale properties in the Fifth Forbes Corridor in downtown Pittsburgh. The goal of this investment will be to leverage private investment in the many buildings that may have a first-floor tenant, but the upper floors are vacant or under-occupied and feature unimproved facades. The $8 million project is expected to create 250 permanent jobs and 100 temporary construction jobs, and will retain 10 existing positions.
Baum Square Parking Garage, East Liberty, $4.5 million, for the construction of a structured parking facility that will include 140-plus spaces and will support various mixed-use redevelopment efforts in East Liberty. The $10.5 million project is expected to create 25 permanent jobs and 100 construction jobs.
Doughboy Square - 34th and Butler, Lower Lawrenceville, $1 million, to anchor a critical gateway location and - through construction, infrastructure, site prep, and streetscape improvements along both sides of this corner lot development - help eliminate a disjointed segment of the district. The $6.1 million project is expected to create 200 permanent jobs and 70 construction jobs.
Strip District & Produce Terminal Redevelopment, $15 million, for the complete renovation of the outdated Produce Terminal and residential-compatible development on the land between the terminal and the Allegheny Riverfront, as well as parking, sidewalks, lighting, new utilities and other investments to support the development. The $30.9 million is expected to create 788 permanent jobs and 636 construction jobs.
Chatham University Eden Hall Campus EcoCenter, $3 million, to rehabilitate and renovate two existing barns on the campus and become anchors to a new academic and outreach/conference complex. The EcoCenter will include a multi-purpose assembly space for conferences, various student activities, and community outreach programs; a kitchen facility; and a series of flex spaces that will be used as classrooms, faculty offices, a bookstore and for student recreation. The $8.8 million project is expected to create 285 permanent jobs and 40 construction jobs, and will retain three existing positions.
Western PA Life Science Economic Growth Initiative, $500,000, for a life sciences campus on the south side of Pittsburgh at the River Park Commons Business Center. The facility will attract burgeoning life sciences companies. This phase of the project will include the conversion of the building for its initial occupants and the construction of new laboratory space. The $1 million project is expected to create 25 permanent jobs and 15 construction jobs, and will retain 24 existing positions.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Thursday, December 9, 2010
"Vivaldi Gloria" Concert at St. Maximilian Kolbe
This Sunday December 12, 2010 at 3:00pm, The "Vivaldi Gloria" Concert will be performed at St Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 363 W. 11th Ave Extension, Homestead, PA 15120.
Admission is free!
This is a monumental event for the Steel Valley. We've have had wonderful concerts at our Carnegie Library Concert Hall, but never a concert of this caliber in any church in the valley.
The Combines choirs of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir and St. Andrew Episcopal Church Schola Cantorum (Highland Park) under the direction of Dr. Alastair Stout and Peter Luley, will perform in it's entirety the "Vivaldi Gloria". In addition, inspired carols and hymns of the season will be celebrated.
The Pittsburgh Baroque Ensemble's reputation speaks for itself. The group is under the musical direction of Rick Murrell, one of the finest Baroque trumpet players in the nation. Also other instrumentalists are coming from other parts of the country to perform at both at Saint Max on Dec. 12 and at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside on Friday Dec. 10 to perform in it's entirety the Messiah. The choir is a mix of some of the cities finest singers and our soloist are second to none. This is truly an event you want to experience.
Admission is free!
This is a monumental event for the Steel Valley. We've have had wonderful concerts at our Carnegie Library Concert Hall, but never a concert of this caliber in any church in the valley.
The Combines choirs of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir and St. Andrew Episcopal Church Schola Cantorum (Highland Park) under the direction of Dr. Alastair Stout and Peter Luley, will perform in it's entirety the "Vivaldi Gloria". In addition, inspired carols and hymns of the season will be celebrated.
The Pittsburgh Baroque Ensemble's reputation speaks for itself. The group is under the musical direction of Rick Murrell, one of the finest Baroque trumpet players in the nation. Also other instrumentalists are coming from other parts of the country to perform at both at Saint Max on Dec. 12 and at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside on Friday Dec. 10 to perform in it's entirety the Messiah. The choir is a mix of some of the cities finest singers and our soloist are second to none. This is truly an event you want to experience.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Visit the Center during the Steel Valley Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 4 - 12:00 pm
Visit the BMNECC before and during the annual Steel Valley Christmas Parade, which starts at 12:00 pm in front of the West Homestead Police Station (456 West 8th Avenue) and travels along 8th Avenue through Homestead, ending in Munhall. The BMNECC will be serving coffee and selling soup from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, so stop by and warm up! For more information, visit the Steel Valley Matters website.
Visit the BMNECC before and during the annual Steel Valley Christmas Parade, which starts at 12:00 pm in front of the West Homestead Police Station (456 West 8th Avenue) and travels along 8th Avenue through Homestead, ending in Munhall. The BMNECC will be serving coffee and selling soup from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, so stop by and warm up! For more information, visit the Steel Valley Matters website.
Buy Bulgarian Gifts at pump house Holiday Heritage Market
Saturday, December 4 - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The BMNECC will take part in the annual Holiday Heritage Market at the Rivers of Steel Pump House. We will be selling traditional Bulgarian gift items, such as our beautiful ceramic kitchenware, plus a variety of our delicious Bulgarian soups. We'll also hand out samples of our homemade strudel.
Learn more.
The BMNECC will take part in the annual Holiday Heritage Market at the Rivers of Steel Pump House. We will be selling traditional Bulgarian gift items, such as our beautiful ceramic kitchenware, plus a variety of our delicious Bulgarian soups. We'll also hand out samples of our homemade strudel.
Learn more.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Holiday parade lives on in the Steel Valley
With Homestead borough’s event planner and program director Denise Kelly retired, some thought there would be no Christmas parade in the Steel Valley this year.
Steel Valley residents should fear not as Homestead Mayor Betty Esper has stepped up as the coordinator of the Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade, planned for Saturday at noon.
Parade lineup will be at 11:15 a.m. along Forest Avenue in West Homestead. The parade will go from Forest Avenue down Eighth Avenue to end at Shop’n Save in Homestead for cookies and drinks.
“It’s very hard for someone to step in,” Esper said. “I’m using the lineup from last year. It’s like (Kelly) is helping us organize it.”
Kelly organized the parade for more than 15 years. Esper organized the parade before Kelly. Esper said the majority of the groups in the parade last year also signed up this year. U.S. Steel once again is sponsoring the parade and Santa Claus will be the grand marshal.
“It’s his parade,” Esper said. “Why shouldn’t he be grand marshal?”
The parade will begin with equipment from surrounding fire organizations.
It will include local mayors and other elected leaders. Homecoming queens from Steel Valley and West Mifflin Area high schools will precede their school’s bands. Other high school marching bands in attendance will be Westinghouse and Pittsburgh Oliver. KDKA’s traffic and transportation reporter Jim Lokay will be in the parade. Arrangements are still being worked out for a possible appearance by Steel Valley High School’s all-time leading rusher, tailback Delrece Williams.
The parade’s approximately 100 units will include local police departments and EMS companies, Scouts, clowns, stilt walkers, military organizations, dance groups, musical groups, puppeteers, costumed characters and antique cars.
There will be no prizes for window decorating or floats this year.
“The parade is important because it brings our three communities together along with our wonderful neighbors to celebrate the season,” parade committee member Colleen Fedor said.
Before and during the parade, there will be no parking in the 100-300 block of E. Eighth Avenue and the 100 block of W. Eighth Avenue. From approximately noon to1:30 p.m., motorists will not be able to cross the Homestead Grays Bridge or access Eighth Avenue in Homestead in any direction. Port Authority buses will be rerouted during that time.
Anyone who would like to participate in the parade should call 412-461-0667.
By Stacy Lee, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Steel Valley residents should fear not as Homestead Mayor Betty Esper has stepped up as the coordinator of the Historic Steel Valley Christmas Parade, planned for Saturday at noon.
Parade lineup will be at 11:15 a.m. along Forest Avenue in West Homestead. The parade will go from Forest Avenue down Eighth Avenue to end at Shop’n Save in Homestead for cookies and drinks.
“It’s very hard for someone to step in,” Esper said. “I’m using the lineup from last year. It’s like (Kelly) is helping us organize it.”
Kelly organized the parade for more than 15 years. Esper organized the parade before Kelly. Esper said the majority of the groups in the parade last year also signed up this year. U.S. Steel once again is sponsoring the parade and Santa Claus will be the grand marshal.
“It’s his parade,” Esper said. “Why shouldn’t he be grand marshal?”
The parade will begin with equipment from surrounding fire organizations.
It will include local mayors and other elected leaders. Homecoming queens from Steel Valley and West Mifflin Area high schools will precede their school’s bands. Other high school marching bands in attendance will be Westinghouse and Pittsburgh Oliver. KDKA’s traffic and transportation reporter Jim Lokay will be in the parade. Arrangements are still being worked out for a possible appearance by Steel Valley High School’s all-time leading rusher, tailback Delrece Williams.
The parade’s approximately 100 units will include local police departments and EMS companies, Scouts, clowns, stilt walkers, military organizations, dance groups, musical groups, puppeteers, costumed characters and antique cars.
There will be no prizes for window decorating or floats this year.
“The parade is important because it brings our three communities together along with our wonderful neighbors to celebrate the season,” parade committee member Colleen Fedor said.
Before and during the parade, there will be no parking in the 100-300 block of E. Eighth Avenue and the 100 block of W. Eighth Avenue. From approximately noon to1:30 p.m., motorists will not be able to cross the Homestead Grays Bridge or access Eighth Avenue in Homestead in any direction. Port Authority buses will be rerouted during that time.
Anyone who would like to participate in the parade should call 412-461-0667.
By Stacy Lee, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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