Pop City

Pop Filter Event of the Week: ToonSeum opens new Downtown digs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Small but mightyâmuch like the very characters that grace its wallsâcould be the tagline for one of Pittsburgh's most unique cultural gems. Previously housed within the Children's Museum, ToonSeum, our one-of-kind (and one of only three in the country) museum of cartoon art is making its Downtown debut with a daylong grand opening celebration on Saturday. So channel your inner Casper or Betty Boop and head to the Cultural District this Saturday. That's all folks!

New Girl in Town: What's New in Pittsburgh?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What's new and exciting in town? Follow New Girl as she gets the dish on the newest restaurants--one is a plum, the other is a contradiction in terms--along with unique museums and an architecturally stunning building with a big name (or two) on it.

Saving Lives One Global Link at a Time

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What began as an idea among three friends has blossomed into a powerhouse non-profit that improves patient care for thousands of people worldwide. Now celebrating 20 years, Global Links is a story of necessity, efficiency and most of all, generosity.

Pop Video: North Shore Riverfront Trails

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:42:00 GMT

If you want to look at just one thing that has transformed Pittsburgh, look at the Riverfront trails. In this video, recreational users, dog owners and even a wedding couple explain why they love the idyliic and scenic Northshore trails. May we suggest: Get out there while the weather is still good.

Pop Filter Event of the Week: Three Rivers Film Festival

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If it's November, it's time to pick up a Silver Screenie Pass and head to the Three Rivers Film Festival (3RFF). For the next 16 days, channel your inner auteur with films that span international boundaries, experimental methods and regional themes. From a profound portrait of 16-year-old Harlem girl "Precious" to an erotic vampire comedy, we've got your ticket.

Cool Digs: Pittsburgh Architecture Part Two

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

All across the city, young, visionary architects are helping to reshape the way Pittsburghers think about where and how we live. As one architect says, they're implementing new ideas, improving neighborhoods and proving that good design is sustainable. Not to mention creating very cool spaces for living.

A Taste of Peru in the Strip

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A fairly new Peruvian polleria in the Strip is attracting a lot of attention for its signature dish of marinated and roasted chicken. Meet the young and spirited owner from Peru, Shelbin Santos, who insists on an authentic experience and delivers.

Pop Filter Event of the Week: Calendar of Creepy

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Whether you're sewing an elaborate getup or planning an 11th hour run to Costume World, don't get caught dead staying in this weekend. Not sure which spooky spots to hit first? Relax, we've got your calendar of creepy and cool all mapped out. So just boo it.

What Cleveland Has that Pittsburgh Wants

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When New Girl proposed writing a travel story about Cleveland, we countered with this idea: what if we did a feature on great things going on in Cleveland that aren't happening in Pittsburgh? In the interest of raising our game, we want to know what other cities are doing that we could get going here. So in that spirit, take a closer look at our closest city and see what there is to love and emulate. This could turn into a series. Next up: Baltimore or Detroit?

Pop Video: Washington's Landing

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Want to see one of the most unusual and appealing real estate developments in Pittsburgh? Check out Washington's Landing, a brownfield redevelopment on an island within view of downtown. With bike paths and boats and kayaks, it offers something out of the ordinary, with views to die for.

PPG Paints: The Color's the Thing

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What better time to feature a story on paint colors than this colorful time of year? And who better to do it than our color-obsessed writer, Beth Evans, who focuses on the amazing things going on at PPG Paints. Not only can they predict color trends years out but now, through online surveys, they can also determine your color personality. Our writer was humbled at their accuracy.

Pop Star: Esther Barazzone

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Can the education of women contribute to the economic development of Pittsburgh? Esther Barazzone, president of the 140-year old Chatham University, says it can. To make it happen, she is promoting diversity in leadership, adding graduate programs and campuses where women can achieve their potential. The newest, Eden Hall, is being remade into a laboratory for renewable resources--a New Economy place for 21st Century problems.

Pop Filter Event of the Week: book talk with Franklin Toker

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pittsburghâand a stunning new book about its environsâis ready for its close-up. Called "the great architectural guide that every great American city deservesâand few possess" by The Wall Street Journal, Franklin Toker's Pittsburgh: A New Portrait is the subject of a free and illustrated lecture tonight at Oakland's Carnegie Music Hall. Learn more about our city's storied buildings, neighborhoods and heritageâand all that makes this town so livable.

The Magic of Mentoring

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Their stories are many, and inspiring. Read about the people who are mentoring our kids and the new program to attract more mentors for sixth-graders throughout Pittsburgh. If you, too, want to make a difference, this is a great way to do it.

Photo Slide Show: Shepard Fairey Plasters Pittsburgh

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Check out the latest street art of Shepard Fairey murals around town, captured by Pop City photographer Brian Cohen, then head to the Warhol to see Fairey's new exhibition, Supply and Demand.

Mister Rogers set temporarily rebuilt and opened to public

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pittsburgh's most famous neighborhood--Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe, that is--came back to life this past weekend, reports the Los Angeles Times. The set was rebuilt and opened for two days to the public at the WQED studio, where the show was taped, in honor of the studio being renamed for Fred Rogers.

Replicas of parts of the set exist elsewhere at Idlewild Park in Ligonier, Pa., and at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, which has a play area based on the set.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, now in its 41st year, is the longest-running show on public television.

Click here to read the complete Los Angeles Times article on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

Grant programs help Pittsburgh school buses reduce diesel emissions

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A feature in Keystone Edge, Pop City's Pennsylvania-wide sister publication, highlights the problem of school buses spewing diesel exhaust, and how Pittsburgh is working toward a solution.

In May, the Pittsburgh School District proclaimed that bus contractors must make their bus engines cleaner by 2013, writes Christine O'Toole.

Two local grant programs have offered to help bus contractors pay for retrofits that will reduce emissions, thus promote healthier air and healthier kids. The Heinz Endowments gave $500,000 to a Healthy School Bus Fund to help city bus contractors. And the Allegheny County Department of Health offered to pay 75 percent of the cost for most districts in the region. Additionally, two local citizens' groups, the Group Against Smog and Pollution and Clean Water Action, have been instrumental in the public campaign.

Click here to read the complete Keystone Edge article.

Pittsburgh food bloggers dish on new Giant Eagle Market District

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Who better to dish on the new Giant Eagle Market District in Robinson's Settlers Ridge shopping center than Pittsburgh's food bloggers?

Just a sampling from the buffet:

FoodBurgh writes, "Every time I thought I found the end, I ran into yet another dining possibility," and makes sure to explain that Giant Eagle specially courted bloggers, holding a reception and tour just for new media types in the Burgh.

Burghilicious states, "This is not a grocery store. This is a grocery hangar. First of all, the prepared foods cafe in this Market District is ginormous. In addition to a truly massive traditional salad bar, there is a hot bar and also a cold bar featuring things like lentils, curried couscous and hummus. But then there's also a crepe stand, sushi, a rotisserie, tossed-to-order salads, a pizza counter, a curry and stir-fry corner, and more options that I am not able even to remember, let alone enumerate. Plus free wifi."

She also highlights the produce section (which features entire hydroponic system right in the middle of the room), the meat counter and cheese locker, and the carryout beer section.

Finally, Culinary Cory details a very cool cooking demonstration by Ted Allen, host of Chopped on Food Network, and promises to post more pics shortly.

Local mutt acts as mom for Zoo's orphaned African painted pups

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nine African painted dog pups were born just days ago at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Sadly, the mother died shortly thereafter. Luckily, a surrogate mixed breed dog was found who was happy to step in, reports a blog called ZooBorns. "Honey," the mixed-breed mom, had delivered six pups several weeks earlier. Staffers at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society had just started weaning Honey's pups so she was still able to nurse.

Sure, there are more "reputable" news sources than ZooBorns that featured this story, but ZooBorns has the distinction of including a video, which, yes, is adorable.

Click here to read the ZooBorns blog post in the African painted pups, and view the video.

Kenny Chesney's Pittsburgh stop makes star's upcoming 3-D movie

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of country music's biggest stars, Kenny Chesney, is releasing a 3-D movie this spring, and Pittsburgh's going to have a starring role in it.

For Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D, more than 20 cameras followed this past summer's stadium concerts in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco and Foxborough, Mass., reports USA Today.

The film will feature more than just Chesney's stage show, though. And that's where Pittsburgh comes in. For example, before Chesney's June concert at Heinz Field, 3-D cameras filmed Chesney performing on a houseboat on the Ohio River.

"We did a 35-minute show with all the tailgaters, right on the water. Unless you're down there, nobody gets to see that," Chesney says.

Nobody except all the audiences watching the film, that is. And everyone lucky enough to call Pittsburgh home.

Click here to read the complete USA Today article on Kenny Chesney.

Steelers' Hines Ward helps biracial youth embrace two cultures

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Steelers receiver Hines Ward is profiled by the New York Times for his work with biracial youth. Ward was born in Seoul to a Korean mother and an African-American soldier father, and was raised mainly in Georgia by his mother, the article states.

Through collaboration with Pearl S. Buck International--which has provided social services to biracial children in South Korea since 1965--Ward inspires "Amerasian" children to never be ashamed, and to embrace the opportunity to be part of two cultures.

A group of eight such youth were invited to spend time with Ward in Pittsburgh in October. They waved Terrible Towels and cheered the Steelers to victory over the Minnesota Vikings, and shared an intimate dinner with Ward before turning to South Korea.

Click here to read the complete New York Times article on Hines Ward.

Mayor Ravenstahl faces challenges... the election, it seems, is not one of them

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The New York Times featured a profile of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on Nov. 1, just a day before Tuesday's election, which stated, "Mr. Ravenstahl is expected to win."

The piece chronicles Mayor Ravenstahl's achievements--from streamlining snow removal and cutting Pittsburgh's work force by 2 percent--as well as his challenges--such as repairing the city's pension system.

The article also makes sure to swoon over the fact that Pittsburgh "has done fairly well in replacing its steel industry with jobs in education, health care and a variety of 'green' businesses."

Click here to read the complete New York Times article on Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

Carrier may restore daily regional flights to and from Pittsburgh

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pittsburgh International Airport may see more service to smaller cities starting the first quarter of 2010.

Gulfstream International Airlines, a Fort Lauderdale-based airline, is in negotiations with the Allegheny County Airport Authority to add nonstop service to six to eight cities, including Harrisburg and Du Bois.

"Pittsburgh has been without nonstop flights to the state capital since September 2008, when US Airways discontinued the service," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article states.

Click here to read the complete Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article on Gulfstream International Airlines.

Pittsburgh Artist of the Year is a bird of a different feather

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Keystone Edge, Pop City's sister publication the covers the state of Pennsylvania, highlights Pittsburgh Center for the Arts "Artist of the Year" Tim Kaulen.

The 43-year-old artist, whose work has a decidedly avian motif, has collaborated with everyone from Massaro, P.J. Dick and Trumbull construction firms to grad students from Chatham University's landscape architecture program to achieve his pieces that make use of raw and reused materials and greenery

"The bird that Kaulen's work most resembles may be a phoenix, that mythical symbol of rebirth and renewal," writes Christine H. O'Toole. "Over a 15-year career in Pittsburgh, he's rescued dozens of artifacts from the region's industrial past and transformed them into giant urban sculptures. It's recycling at its grandest, with local companies handing over their gritty two-ton scraps to the artist for free."

Click here to read the complete Keystone Edge article about Tim Kaulen.

Pittsburgh: Most improved city of the past 15 years?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Lonely Planet's 76-Second Travel Show attempted to do an episode in Pittsburgh awhile back, but apparently was thwarted by a Kenny Chesney concert. The 76-second video, posted last week, has some nice views from the Point, but what we love most about it is the written introduction around it.

"Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has to be in the running for the most improved city of the past 15 years," it states. "Once known for its smoke-belching factories, the riverfront is alive with pedestrians, boaters with beers, a couple stadiums and nearby you can walk past street art and visit the Andy Warhol Museum. Well worth a day and a half, more if you take a side trip to nearby Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright-built house over a waterfall 90 minutes southeast."

Most improved city of the past 15 years? We'll take it.

Click here to read the Lonely Planet blog post and view the video.

Pitt alumni celebrate sit-in that led to strides toward diversity

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The New Pittsburgh Courier did a piece on the University of Pittsburgh's African American Alumni Council (AAAC) celebrating the 40th anniversary of a sit-in that led to progress at the university.

On Jan. 15, 1969, about 50 students "took over the university's computer centerâ¦ [and] called for an increase in Black faculty, enrollment and overall representation, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Department of Black Studies later that year."

The article continues, "Today, the university has 13,000 African-American alumni and at the opening of the homecoming celebration, the AAAC announced a $3 million financial aid campaign to support diversity students."

The action of those students 40 years ago is credited as the driving force behind the eventual creation of programs such as the University Community Education Project and the School of Engineering IMPACT Program, which helps Black students pursue opportunities in the sciences.

Click here to read the complete New Pittsburgh Courier article on the sit-in.

Could Heinz Field become America's national soccer stadium?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Local blog Inspire Pittsburgh makes a pretty convincing argument for Heinz Field being a contender for America's national soccer stadium.

"We have the right stadium at the right price," blogger "Doc Steel" writes. Meaning: "Heinz Field is still a new stadium and relatively large at 65,000 seats. It is located right along the Allegheny River across from Downtown, soon to be connected by the city's light rail system. Most importantly, the stadium can truly rock, as anyone who has ever been to a Steelers game at Heinz Field can attest to."

Click here to read the complete Inspire Pittsburgh blog post on Heinz Field.

South Side's Jupe Boutique pops up in People magazine

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jupe, a South Side boutique co-owned by Pittsburgh natives Cara Moody and Amanda (Plesco) Hall, gets a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in People magazine's Stylewatch feature.

The shop is named as the place to pick up a Necessary Objects brand "boyfriend jacket" to be oh so on-trend. Yes, the.

Click here to see Jupe Boutique name-dropped in People magazine.

Braddock mayor John Fetterman named a top Brave Thinker of our time

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Not only did Braddock's mayor John Fetterman make the Atlantic's list of "Brave Thinkers"; he made the monthly magazine's cover, and beat out fellow Brave Thinkers such as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, the founder and CEO of Facebook and President Barack Obama for that very spot.

"The Atlantic has always aspired to challenge its readers, and its times, by giving voice to some of the most provocative thinkers of their eras. Brave Thinking... can be unsettling. But it drives society forward," the article states. "Now, in our first annual Brave Thinkers issue, we have identified a small group of men and women who have risked their careers, reputations, fortunes, and, in some cases, even lives to advance ideas that upend an established order."

Fetterman is described as a "a young and heavily tattooed giant with a public-policy degree from Harvard and a mountain of ambition," and called "brave" for "luring artists to a dying steel town," which the writer says could totally fail, or could serve as a model for other similarly post-industrial towns.

Click here to read the complete Atlantic magazine feature on Mayor John Fetterman.

Dear Mr. President: Support small businesses impacted by the G-20

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We love Franktuary for many reasons. The Downtown lunch spot is unbeatable when it comes to veggie dogs done up Chicago-style; organic, grass-finished, local beef dogs; and ice cream floats that turn any ordinary afternoon into a celebration. Now, Franktuary's owners are doing the impossible and making the eatery even cooler by reaching out to President Obama (again). They invited Obama to visit Franktuary during September's G-20 summit, and were understanding when he didn't make it... but for Franktuary's owners, the dialogue with the President is far from over.

A month may have passed since the G-20 rolled into and out of town, but independent Downtown businesses are still feeling the effects, and not necessarily in a positive way, Franktuary's owners say.

In his "Dear Mr. President" letter posted on Franktuary's blog, Franktuary co-owner Tim Tobitsch writes, "The hype and limited access to downtown generated by the presence of your international peers kept approximately 90% of my regular clientele away.. The law enforcement officials stationed downtown, although pleasant and professional, were not permitted to take a lunch break and eat at the establishment of their choosing. The presence of protesters, tourists, and adventurous locals in the Golden Triangle failed to replace even a tiny fraction of downtown Pittsburgh's regular daytime population. Ironically, while trying to fix the global economy with pomp, circumstance, and a Friday morning meeting, those who attended the G-20 Summit managed to kill many facets of a local economy for approximately 72 hours.

"At a minimum, my business lost $500 in sales as a direct result of the entirety of downtown Pittsburgh being turned into a high-security international society club. Admittedly, from a global perspective the amount of money to which I am referring is not very much. However, to a business such as my own it is a staggering loss."

And because Franktuary is more about finding a solution than whining about the problem, they've got an idea: If 20 world leaders were to buy one $25 Franktuary hooded sweatshirt each, that would equal $500--the loss in sales over the two-day summit.

No response from the world leaders yet. But if you want a hoodie, stop by the shop at 325 Oliver Ave., or email tim@franktuary.com.

Click here to read the complete Franktuary blog post.

Wellspring Worldwide acquires Flintbox of Canada, hiring

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Wellspring Worldwide has taken an expansive leap with the purchase of Vancouver-based Flintbox Innovation Network, a leading global intellectual property exchange.

Founded in 2003, Wellspring aspires to be a global leader in technology commercialization software, helping universities, small businesses and non-profits to translate intellectual property into successful commercial enterprises. Acquiring Flintbox, a sort of Ebay for university technologies, allows Wellspring to combine the two platforms and expand the client base, says Rob Lowe, CEO.

"Our client base historically hadn't overlapped," says Lowe, formerly the founding director of Enterprise Creation at Carnegie Mellon University where he advised aspiring startup companies. "We see this as the beginning of a bigger opportunity for more services down the road."

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Wellspring operates in Europe and North America while Flintbox clients are in Canada and Asia. The acquisition will extend Wellspring's Technology Gateway product to encompass over 160 universities, government labs and companies able to post, exchange, license, and purchase technologies online.

The company currently employs 24 and has an office in Cambridge, England, in addition to its Pittsburgh headquarters. Wellspring plans to hire five to seven people in the next 18 months in software development.

"We see this as a big opportunity for growth in Pittsburgh, once we've got the software systems integrated," Lowe says.

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Rob Lowe, Wellspring Worldwide

Image of CEO Rob Lowe courtesy of Wellspring

The state of the technology industry tells a steady story

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The technology industry, and the energy sector in particular, has continued on a steady upward trajectory, good news for the region.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council released its State of the Industry Report for 2009 this month. While the report was upbeat--with more tech companies and jobs and significant strides in annual payroll--it really wasn't "exponentially exciting," says Audrey Russo, president and CEO.

"It's a slow, steady upward journey," reflects Russo, who is hesitant to put any spin on it. "We shouldn't be resting on our laurels. The story here is really diversity, small diversity, and big diversity. The medical, the educational, the seedlings. The proof in the pudding will be when the economy picks back up."

The report covers the 13-county region and examines the role played by tech industry clusters and other key factors in the economy of southwestern PA from 2005 to 2007. Among the findings:

The region has 8,438 tech companies that employ more than 248,000 with a total annual payroll in excess of $14.5 billion in 2007. This was up from 8,321 companies and 242,164 jobs in 2005.

Regional technology industries' total annual payroll represented 27.5 percent of the total payroll for the region, indicating that technology jobs do pay more than the average wage.

This marked the first time the report included the energy tech sector, which had the largest growth in number of companies and jobs and included coal, nuclear, petroleum, natural gas, power storage and hydroelectric.

Health services represented a significant portion of the life sciences industry cluster, with more than 2,900 companies and employing more than 105,000. The health services subcluster has a total annual payroll of $5.5 billion.

"Telling the story here is a little complex," says Russo. "We have a high density of really smart people working really hard to innovate and change the world."

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Audrey Russo, Pittsburgh Technology Council

Pittsburgh-based political comedy network Zolitics debuts online

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two Pittsburgh political consultants have teamed up to help create the world's first online network devoted exclusively to the irreverently funny world of politics.

Zolitics.com was created by several prominent political consultants including Pittsburgh's own John Brabender, a Republican media consultant who worked on the campaigns of Rudy Giuliani, Tom Ridge, and Senator Rick Santorum, and political consultant Leslie Gromis Baker, a Mt. Lebanon resident. Baker worked on the Bush 2004 re-election campaign and was a top consultant on the McCain 2008 presidential bid.

"Moving Numbers" is the first up, an originally scripted show that was filmed in Brabender's production studio on Mt. Washington. Shot last May, the dramedy tells the story about the "dysfunctional but never boring" campaign of a fictional Pa. U.S. Senator. Set in Pittsburgh, it gives viewers a real-world, behind the scenes look at the highs and lows of running a high profile campaign, says Baker.

"The candidate is based on people we've worked with in the past," says Baker, who refuses to divulge the real life candidate. "We have no other motive than to just be entertaining. After all, look what Tina Fey did for the election last year."

On the heels of "Moving On" is a reality-based show called "Scoops," which allows everyday citizens to compete on real life news stories along with famous politicians and reporters. "Look Who's Coming to Dinner," a joint production of Zolitics and Politics Magazine, introduces viewers to some of the most famous dining establishments in D.C. and allows them to eavesdrop on candid political conversations.

"My America" is a unique social experiment, bringing an outspoken liberal and conservative together to let the diversity sparks fly. The first show will feature former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and Democratic strategist, author, professor and Political Analyst for CNN, Donna Brazille.

Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Leslie Gromis Baker, Zolitics.com

Survey says PA slow to embrace social media marketing strategies, but it's not too late!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvania businesses and organizations aren't clamoring to adopt emarketing technologies to build their brands, but they are moving in the right direction.

All the more reason to learn more about it at Duquesne's upcoming 4th Annual Pa. Business Technology Conference on Nov. 12, geared to help firms develop the tech tools they need to drive sales and growth.

In anticipation of the event, the first annual Pennsylvania Technology Use Survey was compiled to measure the local impact of emarketing practices on small to medium sized businesses. Not surprisingly, LinkedIn was the clear winner for promoting products and services with 22%, followed by Facebook at 18% and Twitter at 12%.

In addition, only 42% of regional organizations have social media marketing strategies in place and 9% plan on moving in this direction. Local companies are less inclined to use sites like YouTube than national counterparts.

Nationally, Twitter has become the most adopted social media tool with 54 percent of Fortune 100 companies reporting a Twitter presence, according to another 2009 survey. The local survey was sponsored by Duquesne's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Ennect, a Pittsburgh emarketing software firm.

"The Internet has made it possible for small businesses to utilize technologies that once were only available -- at a much higher expense -- to larger companies," says Carol Wolicki, marketing director for Ennect. "Online software tools put the ability to research customer attitudes and preferences in the hands of small businesses at a fraction of the cost. This opens up a whole world of possibilities."

"Adapting to the Digital World--Becoming a Socially Savvy Business" will give companies strategies to better use digital social media. The conference will feature workshops on blogging, social media, search engine marketing, green tech and online advertising. The keynote speaker is Adam Kmiec, director of Interactive Marketing Innovation at MARC USA, and features panelists Audrey Russo of the Pittsburgh Tech Council and Tracy Certo of Pop City.

Source: Carol Wolicki, Ennect; Debbie Shiring, Elliance

Pittsburgh highschoolers star in new reality TV science show

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Of the hundreds of strains of salmonella that exist, why does only one make humans sick?

Pittsburgh's future scientists will explore this question and others in a new competitive reality TV show that pits high school student teams against one another as they unravel scientific mysteries. Science Mission 101, the first pilot in a potential future series, will air in Pittsburgh and across the country on American Public Television.

Catch it tomorrow night, Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV and encore programs on Nov. 15 at noon and Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m.

The show was inspired, in part, by the excitement generated by the University of Pittsburgh's Pitt Mobile Science Lab, an18-wheeler laboratory that goes from school to school, bringing the world of science to students beyond the ordinary Bunsen burner and Petri dish, says Darryl Ford Williams of WQED.

"I saw it and thought to myself, this is a show," says Williams. "The excitement of the truck engages students in a way that makes science more relevant."

The teams are judged based on cooperation, creativity, interpretation of experimental data, presentation and scientific thought. Team Awesome includes team leader Olivia Iannone, 14, of South Park High School; Jason Chen, 16, of North Allegheny High School; and Aliya Taylor, 16, of Riverview High School. Team Dominate is led by Dominic Stokes, 16, of Valley High School; Pietra Bruni, 16, of Seton La Salle High School; and Guthrie Gintzler, 16, of Taylor Allderdice High School.

Funding to produce the pilot for Science Mission 101 was provided by the PA Department of Education through the Pennsylvania Public Television Network (PPTN), PPG Industries Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh.

Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Darryl Ford Williams, WQED

Image courtesy of WQED

How will Obama's $100M Innovation Strategy impact the region?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:54:39 GMT

Just what is President Obama's Innovation Agenda all about?

The Pittsburgh Technology Council and Innovation Works have teamed up to take a look at this key national initiative, which involves $100 million in funding in 2010 to support regional innovation clusters and business incubators that will bring together the geographically shared resources of universities, research centers, companies and more.

Guest speakers Ed Paisley and Jonathan Sallet are authors of "Geography of Innovation: The Federal Government and the Growth of Regional Innovation Clusters," a powerful report published by the Center for America Progress, one of the most influential groups inside the beltway, says Time magazine.

"Pittsburgh has the history and experience in creating new innovation clusters, which is its own competitive advantage," says Paisley. "This is not just about university innovation, it's about workforce development, the bigger picture."

For the first time in American history, an administration is addressing the implementation of a national strategy to boost regional competitiveness. Pittsburgh is a perfect candidate as a city that is part of a region that encompasses three states. The session will reflect on the role of the U.S. Economic Development Administration in coordinating innovation policies with the White House and the potential impact of those policies on Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.

The event will be held at Innovation Works Alpha Lab, 2325 Carson Street, on Thursday Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. For more information, email events@pghtech.org or call 412-918-4229.

Source: Ed Paisley; Terri Glueck, Innovation Works

Hot Events: Mobile Art && Code at Carnegie Mellon and a CivicScience app contest

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Mobile Art && Code symposium at Carnegie Mellon and a cool $3,000 contest for a CivicScience-inspired Facebook application highlight this week's events.

Art && Code is an online community and series of events on the artistic and tactical potential of using various forms of mobile media for the democratization of computing tools for artists, young people and anyone interested.

The three day event, Nov. 6 to 8, features practical and arts programming workshops for popular mobile platforms such as the iPhone, Android, Nokia, Smartphones and more, along with an all-day FREE lecture that puts these technologies into the context of contemporary critical, artistic and design practices.

Sponsored through a grant from Microsoft Research, the program is a project of the Carnegie Mellon Studio for Creative Inquiry.

Feeling inspired to build a great Facebook app and a possibly win $3,000?

CivicScience is offering cash and prizes to a team or individual with the best Facebook app using the CivicScience polling, data analysis, user comparison and social networking platform. The winner will be selected by a team of experts including prominent software execs, engineers and venture capitalists.

Selected apps will be used for six weeks; the most down-loaded app wins. First prize is $3000 and a 3-month paid internship at CivicScience. Prizes for runners up include a new Netbook and Android Phone.

Source: Carnegie Mellon University; Civic Science

As billions roll in, BPL Global ready for big "smart grid" energy business

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:40:39 GMT

Pittsburgh's BPL Global is emerging as a leader in the bid to help America modernize its aging electricity infrastructure.

With $3.4 billion available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, BPLG is positioned to help utilities and other companies get to work. Last month the first funds were awarded, targeting private companies, utilities and other partners. The grants range from $400,000 to $200 million.

BPLG was identified by 19 of the 100 grant recipients and will be working in the next two months to secure more contracts as the work gets underway, says Keith Schaefer, co-founder, president and CEO.

"BPL Global will play a pivotal role as one of the leaders transforming the way energy will be delivered," Schaefer says. "We believe that the DOE and others have concluded that we have a proven scalable software answer to manage the distribution of data."

Schaefer believes that the overhaul of the nation's "smart grid" is every bit as historic as when NASA was formed to catapult the nation into space and the national Interstate highway system was created. The "smart grid" includes everything from enhanced monitoring and control of the existing electrical grid to improved consumer energy management. Companies across the country stand ready to take a piece of the stimulus pie.

The funding will create tens of thousands of jobs across the country, including smart meter manufacturing workers, engineering technicians, IT system designers, business and power system analysts, and more. BPLG figures it will quadruple revenues and double its employees in the next three years as business increases. For now, the company will add five more software developers and one IT management employee.

Now it's Pittsburgh's turn to tell its clean energy story to the world. Local leaders and the newly formed U.S. Center for Energy Leadership (USCEL) have set that as a goal.

"Our regional energy industry includes more than 800 firms, contributes more than 10 percent to our regional gross product and supports â directly and indirectly â more than 105,000 jobs," says Kathryn Klaber, executive vice president, Allegheny Conference on Community Development. "The combination of experience and expertise in the Pittsburgh region means that Pittsburgh can do for energy what the Silicon Valley did for computing."

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Keith Schaefer, BPL Global

Photo of Keith Schaefer, BPLG, courtesy of the company.

Getting enough zzz's? Pittsburgh sleep center expands, take the sleep quiz!

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:53:54 GMT

Pittsburgh needs its sleep. That's where LifeLine Specialty Outpatient Centers comes in.

The Forest Hills center for sleep disorders has expanded its 5-year-old operation from 10 to 22 centers over the past two years with the purchase of The Washington Hospital sleep clinics, marking the company's emergence as one of the first fully-integrated sleep centers in the region.

LifeLine was originally founded as an outpatient clinic to evaluate sleep disorders and sleep apnea, a disorder that results when a sufferer intermittently stops breathing due to partial or complete closure of the airway. With hospitals today moving away from the sleep therapy business, care for patients is shifting to clinics like LifeLine, explains Dann Scheiferstein, president and CEO.

LifeLine offers a range of stays, in both a hotel and clinical environment, and a full range of services, from evaluation to treatment and care, helping to restore patients to health.

"Testing is really just the front end of the patient experience," says Scheiferstein. "The treatment is the endgame. In most parts of the country treatment and testing is integrated. We are the only provider in Western Pennsylvania that is a full-service sleep company."

LifeLine works closely with Pittsburgh-based Philips Respironics to provide patients the sleep products they need. In addition, the company is forming partnerships with health care providers, such as Excela Health, to provide services. The company employs 65 and plans on more hiring in the future. Scheiferstein anticipates 20 percent annual growth in the next few years with the expansion of the operation.

Suffering from a a lack of sleep? Take the sleep quiz!

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Dann Scheiferstein, LifeLine Specialty Outpatient Centers

Photo of Dann Scheiferstein by Kevin Scheiferstein, Courtesy of LifeLine

Eckert Seamans going strong despite the economy

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:39:39 GMT

Tough economic times has its advantages.

That's the way Tim Ryan, CEO of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot LLC, sees it. The firm, the 4th largest in Pittsburgh, has been on a growth spurt this year with the addition of six lawyers to its Pittsburgh headquarters; four attorneys joined the Washington, D.C. office this month.

The firm also opened its 11th office in Richmond, Virginia with room for up to 15 people. Eckert Seamans has added more than 45 lawyers during the last 10 months to offices in Boston, MA; Charleston, WV; Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA; Washington, D.C. and White Plains, NY.

What's happening in the legal marketplace now is many firms are outgrowing their partners, Ryan explains. As a result, many firms are imposing substantial rate increases or buying clients out.

"That's where we come in. It's not that we can see around corners, but we implemented innovative measures three years ago that has allowed us to keep our rates in a far more reasonable zone for clients in these trying economic times. Our work has increased dramatically as a result of it."

Eckert Seamans employs 320 attorneys and 350 employees firmwide, with about 40 percent located here in Pittsburgh.

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Tim Ryan, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot LLC

Carnegie Mellon's "crash test anti-dummy" named to Brilliant 10

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:34:54 GMT

Carnegie Mellon's Andre Platzer, the "crash test anti-dummy," was recently named to the annual Brilliant 10 by the editors of Popular Science.

The assistant professor of computer science, 30, was selected for his work that verifies the success or failure of collision avoidance systems in flight control and railway systems.

With human reliance on a wide range of systems--things like seatbelts and firehoses and medications such as antibiotics--Platzer's work to ensure safety is an innovation so vital "that it's hard to imagine how we got along without it," the magazine says.

"If you design a system, how do you ensure that it achieves its performance goal and doesn't mess up?" Platzer asks. "I take a system, analyze and really prove that nothing can go wrong."

Platzer is among the researchers in the new Institute for Computational Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems, which is developing new tools for analyzing embedded computer and biological systems. The institute was established this year as part of a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

Source: Andre Platzer, Carnegie Mellon University

Pitt creates unique law program to assist innovators and entrepreneurs

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:38:31 GMT

A city at the crossroads of innovation and business deserves a law program that addresses just that.

University of Pittsburgh has created the Innovation Practice Institute, a new program that leverages the region's talent for entrepreneurial enterprise. Begun this fall, IPI offers attorneys an opportunity to interact with young and senior startup executive teams and gain the legal skills needed to identify risks associated with beginning a business.

Pitt is uniquely situated among leading innovators in the country, from medical research to robotics and commercial development. This calls for a special breed of lawyer who has hands-on experience with the challenges of forming new businesses and startup technologies, says Max Miller, director and founder of IPI.

"The marketplace is changing," says Miller. "The Institute is a mindset, an attitude of doctrine and reality. I really believe strongly in immersion; the more you are around the people you're servicing the better you understand their needs."

Miller has been working on the idea for the Institute since he arrived in 2008. He hopes to shape it into a program that not only collaborates with cutting-edge technologies but helps to develop new models for neighborhood economics and social innovation through case study and outside experience.

Two new courses will be introduced each term. This fall IPI offered Commercializing New Technologies and Understanding the Legal Services Marketplace. The ultimate goal is for students to be a part of a pipeline of resources for the business innovation community.

"This program exposes them to people doing really cool things in computer sciences, social enterprises. They are meeting business savvy leaders. There will be thought leaders in this movement who understand the culture of innovation, establish and teach that culture," says Miller.

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Max Miller, IPI

Pittsburgh companies raise $78M in venture funds this quarter

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Eighteen Pittsburgh companies raised $78.27 million in venture capital in the third quarter of 2009, a show of strength that has again bucked the national trend.

Nationally, $4.8 billion was invested in 637 deals in the third quarter of 2009, a 17 percent increase in terms of dollars but a three percent drop in the number of deals compared to the second quarter of 2009. The increase was driven by several large rounds in the Clean Technology sector and a strong showing by Life Science companies, according to the MoneyTree Report and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).

Innovation Works played a significant role in all but two of the companies that received funds. Sixteen are IW portfolio companies. The deals included both direct and indirect follow on investment received from outside or out-of-town investors.

"This shows how strong our pipeline is in the region for innovation and technology," says Matt Harbaugh of IW. "There's a continuum of funding from the earliest stage through the (larger) VC funds."

IW was active in nine deals totaling $27.55 million this quarter. The companies included Alung Technologies, $2.5 million; Blue Belt Technologies, $2.4 million; Silicon Vox, $200,000; Compliance Assurance, $100,000; Bueda, $50,000 and four undisclosed companies.

Other companies included Vocollect, $15 million; Plextronics, $15 million; Avere Systems, $7.63 million; Dynamics Inc. $5.70 million; Thermal Therapeutics Systems, $2.75 million; Carnegie Speech, $2.65 million; ShowClix $57,000; Knopp Neurosciences $20,000 and Glucose Sensing Tech, renamed VyTrace, $150,000.

Of the total, nine are IT firms, seven are Life Sciences and two are Energy firms.

"In a tough national economic environment, Pittsburgh is fairing very well and I think it speaks to the quality of the deals here and tremendous deal flow," says Rich Lunak, president and CEO of IW. "While we've been impacted, we're in many ways performing better than the rest of the country."

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Rich Lunak and Matt Harbaugh, Innovation Works; Emily Mendell, NVCA

IW Chairman Ron Bianchini, president and CEO of Avere Systems
Photo courtesy of Innovation Works

Clearcount closes on $3.4M; PLSG awards $750,000 to startups

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In Life Sciences news, ClearCount Medical Solutions received $3.4 million in Series B financing and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse closed on $725,000 in direct investment in five startups.

ClearCount, makers of RFID-tagged surgical sponges, will continue to focus on sales with the hiring a national sales team and a software engineer, says David Palmer, president and CEO. The round was led by Draper Triangle Ventures and Midwestern-based Network Partner of Draper Fisher Jurvetson. ClearCount's received $4.1 million from Draper Triangle last October.

PLSG invested in five companies in the 3rd Quarter of 2009:

    • $200,000 in NeuroInterventions, Inc. to support prototyping a family of catheters for deep vein thrombosis, carotid stenting, traumatic brain injury and stroke patients.

    • $150,000 in Blue Belt Technologies to support preparation of their robotic handheld surgical tool for the FDA process and prepare for a full market release.

    • $150,000 in Vytrace Inc., formerly Glucose Sensing Technologies, to support development of a catheter that allows clinicians to continually monitor blood glucose levels in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting.

    • $125,000 in ThermalTherapeutic Systems to develop a hyperthermic perfusion technology, a portable device to heat and circulate warm, sterile fluids during medical procedures.

    • $100,000 in Almedtrac to assist with the marketing of software for clinical trials management.

"This widely recognizes the fact that life sciences may be as close to recession proof as you can get," says John Manzetti, PLSG president and CEO. "It's a growing field. The need for health care is not going down."

In addition, two prominent executives have joined the PLSG Executives in Resident Program, Dave Mawhinney and Stephen A. Bollinger. PLSG has moved 31 executives through the EIR program since its inception, 20 of who remain in the region in senior executive positions.

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: John Manzetti and Lynn Banaszak Brusco, PLSG

Rhiza Labs joins Google to help Amazon tribe save its homeland

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rhiza Labs is working with an endangered tribe in the Amazon rainforest to save their homeland.

The South Side firm was asked by Google and the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) to develop a platform that gathers data on "rugged" mobile devices and creates detailed maps, which will be used to chart the Surui territory in Brazil. Armed with the technology, the tech-savvy tribal leaders plan to put the maps on Google Earth to prove irrefutably that illegal mining and logging is taking place on their 600,000 acres.

"For thousands of years this tribe has been known as one of the fiercest in the Amazon," says Josh Knauer, CEO. "They ate their enemies! Cut down by disease, they traded their bows and arrows for laptops. Now they are using the Internet as a tool in the fight to save their rainforest."

The Surui, pronounced su-roo-wee, was 5,000 strong up until the 1960s when it first came into contact with outsiders during a highway construction project. The following decade brought disease, poverty and continual fighting, nearly decimating the population. Their numbers dropped to 290 but is back to 1,300 today.

Much of the region around the tribe's 600,000 acres has been cut down and burned by logging companies, says Knauer, who visited the homeland earlier this year. With hundreds of timber mills around them, and thousands of illegal logging jobs at stake, the tribe is under pressure to sell their land.

The elders have tasked Chief Almir, 35, with saving the tribe.

Almir was sent to college where he learned the value of a business plan. The tribe's strategy is to put the homeland on the global carbon offset marketplace where, like cap and trade, a company will pay the tribe to preserve its land for the right to pollute elsewhere.

The tribe stands to make tens of millions, says Knauer.

"We were brought in because we have easy to use tools to help communities collect data," says Knauer. "It has been such a major success that the Amazon conservation tem is bringing us in to do other projects in the Amazon."

Watch YouTube for the Surui story, "Trading Bows and Arrows for Laptops."

Writer: Debra Diamond Smit
Source: Josh Knauer, Rhiza Labs

Image courtesy of Rhiza Labs