Happenings in Pittsburgh!! (York, Lebanon, Washington: environment, equity, relocating)

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The Tartan Online : Ray of light: Pittsburgh named a Solar America City

In recognition of the city’s commitment to adopting solar energy at the local level, Pittsburgh has been named a Solar America City by the United States Department of Energy (DOE).

According to the DOE’s State Energy Program, the Solar America program’s mission is to “accelerate solar adoption in electricity load centers by supporting innovative efforts with financial and technical assistance.”

A Carnegie Mellon press release stated that Pittsburgh’s proposal to build a sustainable infrastructure arose from the collaboration of Carnegie Mellon, the Green Building Alliance (GBA), Duquesne Light, and city officials.

Stephen Lee, one of the members on the committee representing Pittsburgh and a professor of architecture at Carnegie Mellon, was contacted two years ago to help write the city’s Solar America proposal.

“It is great that Pittsburgh, which had the reputation of being a smoky city, is one of the 13 cities that got the Solar America award. It is an amazing marketing success for Pittsburgh,” Lee said. “It will build momentum to continue the transformation of Pittsburgh from a smoky city to a green city and to generate a nucleus of people in the city who are willing to work on solar projects. I think it is a great idea.”

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UPMC pumping more money into their facilities. Surprised? I'm not. Also to add 300 jobs.

Pop City - $100M expansion underway at UPMC Passavant in McCandless

UPMC Passavant has broken ground on a $100 million seven-story addition. Located at 9100 Babcock Blvd. in McCandless, the 188,000-square-foot addition will provide increased capacity for the hospital’s advanced cancer center, emergency department and surgical services, and will feature 88 new intensive care, progressive care unit and medical-surgical unit beds.

Glass-enclosed walkways will connect a new pavilion to the existing hospital. Every patient room will feature an outside window, and the hospital’s main entrance will be reconfigured around its existing glass rotunda. The addition will also feature patient sleep rooms and water treatment walls. Project architect is Burt Hill and Associates; a contractor will be named next week.

“From a green standpoint, we’re doing a labyrinth between the two buildings. Patients and families will have access to that area rather than looking down at air conditioners,” says Bob Henderson, with UPMC Passavant. “There will be a lot of external light. It’s a patient focused design. We’re offering concierge and room services. We've really hit on a lot of the patient and family amenities.” A green roof will feature benches and landscaped areas.

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Cardiac Science Applauds Mass AED Training of Pittsburgh Educators (broken link)

BOTHELL, Wash., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cardiac Science Corporation , a global leader in advanced cardiac monitoring and defibrillation products(...)
Moderator cut: do not reposts copyrighted articles

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Pop City - CMU's Anti-Phishing Phil helps users identify Internet scams--try it!

A little fish named Phil is the star of a new online computer game developed by Carnegie Mellon University computer scientists that helps teach people how to better navigate the hazardous waters of the Internet.

Called Anti-Phishing Phil, the interactive game assists users in identifying potential Internet scams and email “phishing,” illegal emails that are sent out in an attempt to trick users into revealing personal passwords or bank and credit card information.

To further test the game, the Carnegie Mellon Usable Privacy and Security Laboratory (CUPS) has launched an online field test. By visiting the website and clicking the “play the game” link, participants may offer researchers feedback on how well Phil works. Those who leave their email addresses will participate in a follow-up and be eligible for a $100 raffle prize.

If you want to play Anti-Phishing Phil, go here: CMU Usable Privacy and Security Lab (CUPS)

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More on Capitral Grille, apparently doing well.

Swanky Capital Grille: Latest addition to Downtown - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It might be located in a blue state, but Pittsburgh is a red-meat town.

And Downtown has become the prime hunting ground for carnivores who crave the kind of decadent, top-end steaks that almost qualify as legal intoxicants.

Last month, the Golden Triangle welcomed its fourth upscale steakhouse with the opening of the Capital Grille in the former Lazarus property on Fifth Avenue. It's been renamed Piatt Place.

The arrival of yet another high-end steakhouse can be seen as a vote of confidence for the local economy, as well as for the continuing transformation of Downtown to a place where an increasing number of people live and work.

"People always ask if there's room for our steakhouses. Well, there obviously is," McMaster says.

[SueJ999]

Originally Posted by boylocke

Pop City - CMU's Anti-Phishing Phil helps users identify Internet scams--try it!

If you want to play Anti-Phishing Phil, go here: CMU Usable Privacy and Security Lab (CUPS)

Wow, and I thought I was pretty savvy in figuring out what sites were real and what ones weren't! I need to "play" this a few more times. Thank goodness for my Norton Fraud Monitoring!

Thanks boylocke!

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Need a job?

Bank Of NY Mellon To Add 150 Jobs to Pittsburgh Office (broken link)

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK) will create about 150 new positions at its Pittsburgh corporate trust office by the end of 2008.

The New York financial services company said the offices will move to Three Mellon Center from One Oxford Center during the fourth quarter.

Bank of New York Mellon also said that an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 new jobs will be created in the Pittsburgh area as a result of the bank's acquisition of JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s (JPM) corporate trust unit.

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Pop City - ImPAct 2007 hopes to attract young professionals to Pittsburgh from across the state

ImPAct 2007, touted to be a dynamic and entertaining forum that will attract young professionals statewide, will be held in Pittsburgh this weekend, from Friday, Sept. 28th through Sunday, Sept. 30th.

Organizers hope to inspire young people to affect positive change in their communities and generate ideas on how to keep young talent in the region. To entice the masses, Pennsylvania Young Professionals (PAYP) has scheduled events in locations around the city such as Heinz Field and City Theatre. Participants can also attend a Pirates game followed by a concert featuring The Clarks. The opening reception will kick off at Riverwatch in the Strip District.

ImPAct 2007 boasts a weekend lineup with local celebrities and business leaders. J.T. Thomas, a former Pittsburgh Steeler and local restaurant entrepreneur, is the keynote speaker. Panel discussions will feature senior executives from Google, Careerbuilder, College Prowler, and CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center.

Interested in the conference? It costs $100 per person and you can sign-up here:
Pennsylvania Young Professionals

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Pop City - Iron City Brewing Company opens for business, invests $4.1M in modernization

Iron City beer is flowing again in Lawrenceville. The new Iron City Brewing Company (ICB) has opened its doors at 3340 Liberty Ave.

New owners Unified Growth Partners have installed a new management team and provided financial backing. Formerly called Pittsburgh Brewing Company, ICB has adopted the name the brewery was originally founded under in 1861.

ICB is investing $4.1 million in capital improvements. “A major project is to modernize with a new automated keg filling system. Also, we’re moving from a 1950’s coal fired boiler to a gas boiler. It’s a tremendous savings, and will be more of a green facility,” says Tim Hickman, ICB’s new president. “There’s a lot of plant maintenance—a laundry list of little things.” The brewery is also rebuilding its pasteurizer, cleaning the Ober Haus and replacing equipment.

After running at half production for eight months, ICB has resumed full operations with 102 employees. “We’d love to recall close to 148 employees,” adds Hickman, who says the brewery’s goal is to sell 327,000 barrels in 2008, which would be a thirty-percent increase over 2006.

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North Catholic High is relocating to Cranberry?? Who knew??

North Catholic High sets move to Cranberry for 2010-11

North Catholic High School has scheduled a moving date for relocation to its new home in Cranberry.

The school, which has been located in Troy Hill since 1939, is planning to move to Butler County in time for the 2010-11 school year. The move is designed to better align the school with much of its student population, which has shifted over the years to the Northern suburbs.

North Catholic's new campus in Cranberry will cost between $21 million and $23 million, and the school must raise $10 million to be able to secure a bond issue for the remainder of the cost. In March, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh started allowing schools to incorporate themselves, which also enables them to use debt financing for capital construction.