Women’s Independent Press

Programs are on Thursdays at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. They are free and open to the public.

October 6 Finishing Well – Getting the Care You Want When You Need It Most
Stacy Kacskowski, MHA
Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Community LIFE
(In partnership with the Allegheny County Library Association)

Join Community LIFE in a discussion about Five Wishes – the first living will that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. Five Wishes has become America’s most popular living will because it is written in everyday language and helps to start and structure important conversations about care in times of serious illness. You won’t want to miss this overview of an essential resource for people of all ages.

October 13 Betting to Win – Your Guide to Casino Gambling
Mark Gruetze, Administrative Editor
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Winning always makes a casino visit more fun. To do that, you need to know which bets to make and which to avoid. Learn how to make money – or at least, make your money last longer – from Mark Gruetze, longtime recreational gambler and author of the weekly Players Advantage column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Find out the best strategies for blackjack, craps and other table games.

October 20 A Fresh Perspective on Retirement. Guaranteed.
Sara B. Botkin, CFP, Vice President – The Botkin Group
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

Today, the fastest-growing age group is centenarians. This means you could possibly spend more than 30 years in retirement. Will you have enough money to support your income needs? Find out more about the factors that may affect your retirement and strategies to help you build retirement income in uncertain times.

October 27 What’s the Economy For, Anyway?
(DVD – 40 minutes)

If you have difficulty understanding the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and if, indeed, it is a true measure a society’s quality of life, happiness, health and security, you are not alone. Is our consumer-driven model of economic growth really contributing to the goal of “the greatest good for the greatest number over the long run?” Narrator Dave Batker provides a smart, entertaining and insightful look at thirteen basic issues that reveal how the United States compares to several other countries in many economic sectors. His findings will surprise you.

Programs are held at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield Street, Downtown on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. They are free and open to the public.

Thursday, September 2 No Program. Enjoy the Holiday Weekend!

Thursday, September 9 Marketing on a Shoestring Budget Using Social Media
Shawn Agyman, Director ofMarketing
SponsorChange.org

Even if startups follow the lean philosophy of keeping their “burn rate” low, they still have to find a way to attract and retain customers. With the effective use of social media, they can leverage media attention, engage customers and market services. Mr. Agyman will use his company, SponsorChange.org, as an example of how this low-cost marketing strategy can benefit entrepreneurs in many types of businesses.

Thursday, September 16 Leveraging Online Social Media to Avoid Burnout in Volunteer Organizations
Geri Puleo, President/CEO
Change Management Solutions, Inc.

Volunteer leaders face numerous challenges that can lead to burnout. This workshop identifies the
unique challenges of volunteer leadership and provides concrete channels, strategies and tools to
harness social media technology (including Social Media 2.0) that will engage members, reduce burnout, and build a vibrant online community.

Thursday, September 23 Common Mistakes in Estate Planning and How to Avoid Them
Theodore T. Blair, Attorney-at-Law
T. T. Blair & Associates

When you want to have your assets transferred to your heirs according to your wishes, finding out what
you need to do ahead of time is crucial. Mr. Blair, an experienced estate attorney, will bring us up to date
on recent legal changes and explain how to avoid the most common (and costly) mistakes that many people make in drafting their wills and estate plans.

Thursday, September 30 The Great Squeeze: Surviving the Human Project
(DVD – 60 minutes)

This award-winning documentary explores the current ecological and economic cris stemming from our dependence on cheap and abundant energy. A journey through history shows how past civilizations made the same mistakes – growing too fast, depleting their natural resources and ultimately collapsing. It’s urgent that we make significant lifestyle changes if we are to save ourselves from a similar fate.

Business Program Series
Summer Film Festival

August 2011
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Thursday, August 4 Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
(DVD – 55 minutes)

When Rachel Carson, a biologist for the Federal government, became aware of the devastating effects of the indiscriminate use of DDT and other toxic pesticides on the natural world, she was compelled to write Silent Spring, a stinging indictment of the chemical industry that produced them. This American Experience documentary reveals how she raised the country’s ecological consciousness despite strenuous efforts to discredit her findings.

Thursday, August 11 Surviving the Dust Bowl
(DVD – 55 minutes)

Beginning in 1931, the seasonal rains that replenished the rich soil in the Southern Plain states never came, resulting in a severe drought that lasted almost seven years. The lack of rain, combined with ferocious winds, blew away millions of tons of precious topsoil, making farming impossible. Severe dust storms called ‘black blizzards’ darkened the sky even at mid-day. While many farmers migrated to California to find work, this American Experience documentary chronicles the struggles and determination of those who remained on their own land during this grim period of the Great Depression.

Thursday, August 18 Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (Part 1)
(DVD – 60 minutes – a Ken Burns PBS production)

Thursday, August 25 Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (Part 2)
(DVD – 60 minutes – a Ken Burns PBS production)

Join us for both parts of Ken Burns’ fascinating documentary about three dynamic men: an inventor, an engineer, and a hard-driving Russian immigrant who shared responsibility for the invention of the radio. Their story is complicated by jealousy, greed, lawsuits and tragedy. Jason Robards is the narrator who ties together archival footage, newsreels of the period, and on-air interviews with those who knew them

Business Program Series

July 2011

Programs are held on Thursdays at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield Street, Downtown. They are free and open to the public.

Thursday, July 7 Other People’s Money: How Vanguard’s John Bogle Wants to Fix the Mutual Fund Industry and Wall Street
Lewis Braham, Author – The House That Bogle Built

The public’s opinion of Wall Street has almost never been lower than it is today. What went wrong and how can it be fixed? John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard Funds, sees the problem as a shift from an ownership society in which shareholders came first, to an agency society in which Wall Street is out for its own financial gain. Join us as Lewis Braham, author of The House that Bogle Built, discusses Bogle’s vision for a better investment world and how Vanguard Funds is different from its competitors.

Thursday, July 14 Organizing for Success
Dennis Snedden, Time Management Services

If you feel overwhelmed and underorganized and want to get more done, have a greater sense of satisfaction from what you’ve accomplished or go home on time more often, this program is for you! When you follow Mr. Snedden’s practical suggestions, you’ll discover how quickly they can increase productivity in both your professional and personal life.

Thursday, July 21 What is Emotional Intelligence and Why Does it Matter?
Nancy Stampahar
Silver Lining Solutions

Whether at work or home, your ability to at least adapt or thrive in any given situation will be determined by your intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. Ms. Stampahar will explain why having a highly developed Emotional Intelligence (EQ), also known as people or street smarts, can contribute to your success, happiness and fulfillment.

Thursday, July 28 King Corn: You Are What You Eat
(DVD – 90 minutes)

When two friends from Boston realize that corn or corn syrup is used in most of the products they eat, especially junk food that can shorten their life span, they are determined to find out more about “King” corn. They set out for Iowa and persuade a local farmer to lease them one acre of his land for a year, where they plant corn and follow it through the year to harvesting. In the process, they learn about farm subsidies, genetically engineered seeds, and why most of Iowa’s corn will eventually be used to produce cattle feed, ethanol, and high-fructose corn syrup.

May 2011

All programs begin at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield Street, Downtown.  They are free and open to the public.

 Thursday, May   5         Using Social Media to Grow Your Business

David Tusick, Co-Founder/CEO

                                    Optimal Brand Development

David Tusick, a social media and advertising expert, will discuss the the development of social media and why it is so important in today’s business environment. The core of the presentation will analyze the elements of an effective social media advertising campaign and outline strategies that will help you set up your own successful campaign.

Thursday, May 12          “The Eldercare Journey”

 Julian Gray, Certified Elder Law Attorney
 Principal, Julian Gray Associates

The cost of long-term care insurance is the greatest threat to our life savings. Mr. Gray, one of only four Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Pittsburgh and a VA certified attorney, will discuss various options along the journey from retirement through the need for long-term care at home or in a facility. He’ll also cover the new rules for Medicaid eligibility in PA as well as unknown benefits and planning tips for veterans and their spouses who want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Thursday, May 19          The Road to Credit Recovery

Todd Miller, Education Representative

                                     Advantage Credit Counseling Service

For many people, bad credit is the result of circumstances beyond their control. Mr. Miller will explain the steps you need to take in order to improve your current situation and re-establish credit after experiencing financial problems.  He’ll also discuss credit reports, credit card scams and how to manage future credit.

Thursday, May 26          Freakonomics:  The Movie

(DVD – 90 minutes)

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, was on the New York Times’ best-seller list for more than two years. The DVD version explores the authors’ theories about the influence that a baby’s name has on his or her future, the relationship between corruption in sumo wrestling and Wall Street, the real reasons for the dramatic decrease in U.S. crime in the early ‘90s and the possibility that 9^th graders can be bribed with cash to improve their grades.  Don’t be surprised if some of their conclusions will challenge you to re-examine your opinions on many of these issues.

BUSINESS PROGRAM CALENDAR

APRIL 2011

Programs are held each Thursday at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown.  They are free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 7           Charitable Giving:  Crafting a Gift of Significance

                                    Nicole Johnston, MBA

                                    AXA Advisors, LLC

This session will focus on various methods of tax-favored giving to charities, including the gifting of cash, appreciated securities, real estate and life insurance.  Ms. Johnson will discuss strategies and vehicles used for these gifts, including charitable trusts.

Thursday, April 14             How to Avoid the “Cruelest Trap of All” After the Tax Relief Act of 2010

                                        James Lange, CPA/Attorney, Author

                                        President, Lange Legal Group, LLC

Because of changes in the new estate tax laws, older traditional estate plans are not helpful, but harmful because of the severe restrictions they can place on your spouse’s independence and access to the family money.  Mr. Lange will discuss why traditional estate plans should be reviewed to ensure that the surviving spouse will have control over expenditure decisions as originally intended.  All attendees will receive a FREE copy of Jim’s bestselling book, Retire Secure!

Thursday, April 21         Moving Up and Moving Out in 2011:

The Insider Secrets of Real Estate and Mortgage Professionals                      

Diane Scabilloni, MPM, Mortgage Planner, Victorian Finance

                                    Tracy Janov, Real Estate Professional, Prudential Preferred Realty

How can you stage your home without spending a lot of money so it will sell it quickly and for the best price?  Discover options for making a smooth financial transition from one home to another, and ideas for managing the financing when you are selling and moving to a new property.  Our speakers will explain how you can entice buyers to make a quick offer and make realtors excited to show your home.

Thursday, April 28         The Panic is On: The Great American Depression as Seen By the Common                                         Man     (DVD – 60 minutes)

This unusual DVD combines newsreel film, popular music, eyewitness accounts and photographs that  portray the desperation of the time when millions were unemployed and unable to find any kind of work.  Scenes of bread lines, people running to banks to withdraw their money, Thanksgiving dinner at a homeless shelter and more make this era come to life. 

Programs are held at 12:15 on Thursdays at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown.  They are free and open to the public.

Thursday, March   3          The Ins and Outs of Schedule D

                                       Patrick N. Price, Tax Specialist

                                       Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Office

Sales of capital assets are reported for tax purposes on the Federal Schedule D.  There are many confusing terms related to asset sales and the 1099-B form that will be explained in this session.  Once you know the basic rules, reporting asset sales is not difficult!

Thursday, March 10          Your Start-Up: Designing an Internet Presence

                                       Kate McGinley, CEO

                                       McGinley Media Limited

Ready to launch your own company?  In the early stages of a start-up?  This hands-on workshop will guide you through the process of setting up an internet presence.  Topics include: niche marketing, website and mobile app design, and overviews of available tools to help you boost your marketing efforts.

Thursday, March 17          Roth IRAs:  2010-2011

                                       Larry J. Marks, First Vice President, Investments

                                       Dawn M. Porto, CRPC, Vice President – Investments

                                       Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC

Beginning last year, the eligibility rules for a Roth Conversion changed.  Come and hear about the new opportunity you may have to convert your tax-deferred retirement accounts to a Roth IRA.

Thursday, March 24          Mind Over Money:  How Human Psychology and Finance Interact

                                       (DVD – 56 minutes)

This PBS documentary explores what science can tell us about the way we make crucial financial decisions in times of stress.  It’s assumed that we make rational and considered choices when it comes to money, but history has shown this isn’t always so. The fascinating connection between economics and cognitive psychology is revealed here in many ways that might surprise you.

Thursday, March 31       A Homeowner’s Guide to Hiring a Contractor:  What Service Providers Don’t Want You to Know

Alexandra Sabina, Author and Lecturer

When you are ready to make repairs or major renovations to your property, how do you know if the company or person you plan to hire is trustworthy and reliable?  Ms. Sabina, author of A Homeowner’s Guide to Hiring a Contractor, will explain where to find a service provider, questions to ask during the interview, how to obtain reliable references, everything you should see on a contract before signing and more.  Copies of Ms. Sabina’s book will be available for purchase.

Carnegie Business Program Calendar

December 2010

Programs are held on Thursdays at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown.  They are free and open to the public.

Thursday, December 2         Reduce Holiday Stress by Learning to Say “No”

                                                Nancy Stampahar, Silver Lining Solutions

If you find yourself making offers to help with something, adding social activities to your schedule or saying “yes” to requests when you really don’t want to, you must learn to think before you react.  Learn how develop assertive communication skills, live your life with less resentment and stress, and care for yourself while still taking care of others.

Thursday, December 9       How to Get Organized for the Upcoming Tax Season

           Diana Smith, Tax Specialist

                                               Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Office

It’s hard to believe it’s almost that time again, but  it won’t be long before year-end statements will arrive in your mailbox.  You’ll find that preparing to file your taxes doesn’t have to be a hassle after Ms. Smith explains the most efficient ways to organize your important 2010 tax documents.  She’ll also tell us about current IRS updates that may save you time and money.

Thursday, December 16       I.O.U.S.A. – One Nation, Under Stress, In Debt

                                                 PBS documentary  (DVD – 85 minutes)

Throughout history, the American government has found it nearly impossible to spend only what has been raised through taxes.  Weaving together archival footage and economic data to illustrate America’s current economic situation, this film features candid interviews with Warren Buffet, Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker and Paul O’Neill. Some say I.O.U.S.A.  “may be to the U.S. economy what An Inconvenient Truth was to the environment.”

Thursday, December 23       No Programs – Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 30