Women’s Independent Press

Informing Women About Our World!

AnnaMarie Petrarca Gire, Publisher
Women’s Independent Press/ Women’s Yellow Pages
P.O. Box 9687
Pittsburgh Pa. 15226
412-563-6712
wip@fastmail.fm
www.womensindependentpress.com
Calendar of Events

Don’t Miss Out!

If you are not in this year’s Women’s Yellow Pages, you are missing out on exposure to thousands of people who want to do business with you.

Be a part of the 2013/2014
Women’s Yellow Pages of Southwest Pennsylvania

____Yes, reserve my space in next year’s
Women’s Yellow Pages of Southwest Pennsylvania (WYP/SWP)
My 50% deposit is enclosed. Reservations not accepted without deposit
____I have referrals for WYP/SWP
____I am interested in distributing WYP/SWP.
Name________________________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________

Phone# _________________________________________________________________

E-mail address___________________________________________________________

Company/Organization___________________________________________________

Informing Women About Our World!

Women’s Yellow Pages of Southwest Pennsylvania (WYP/SWP)
2012 is a directory of women-owned and women-centered businesses
and organizations.
We hope you’ll accept our invitation to be a part of Women’s Yellow Pages of
Southwest Pennsylvania 2013/2014.

Advertising rates:
• Full Page: 7.25” (W) x 9.25 “ (H)
Investment:
o Black & White: $1495
o 4 Color: $1645

• 1/2 Page: 7.25” (W) x 4.5” (H)
Investment:
o Black & White: $945
o 4 Color: $1,045

• 1/3 Page: 7.25” (W) x 3” (H)
Investment:
o Black & White: $745
o 4 Color: $845

• 1/6 Page: 4.5” (W) x 3” (H)
Investment:
o Black and White: $495
o 4 Color: $595

• Business Card: 3.5” (W) x 2” (H)
o Black & White: $225
o 4 Color: $295

Your ad will appear in the directory and on line, for one full year of exposure + your ad will appear in the monthly newsletter, www.womensindependentpress.com four times a year.

Business Listing, (30 word description of your business) is available at no extra cost with display ads or:
Listing only, in print and on line $95.00

To reserve your space in the 2013/2014 WYP, contact:
Anna Marie @ 412-563-6712
50% deposit required to save your space.

Inside front cover: $2595
Inside back cover: $2495
Back cover: $2695

KRANNERT CENTER AND FOX/ATKINS PRESENT
OUTSIDE AT THE RESEARCH PARK 2012
July 13 and August 3 at 6:30pm
FREE

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts once again joins forces with Fox/Atkins Development, LLC, for a two-show series of summer concerts at the U of I Research Park. Both concerts are free and open to the public. OUTSIDE at the Research Park plays upon a simple concept: great music, fresh food, a green state of mind, and an open, relaxed environment. The performance space and seating area are located just south of the building at the corner of First Street and St. Mary’s Road in Champaign. The tree-lined, grassy space has hosted thousands of audience members each summer since the inception of OUTSIDE in 2007.

Headliners for the 2012 series will be the Brazilian-rooted, Deep South funk masters Nation Beat on July 13 and bluegrass rockers The Giving Tree Band on August 3.

Come Together
Krannert Center’s senior associate director Rebecca McBride emphasizes that the OUTSIDE at the Research Park series is an important celebration of “our richly diverse community and the many individuals and businesses who are committed to sustainable practices that further enhance the quality of life in Central Illinois.” The 2012 OUTSIDE series will continue to demonstrate Krannert Center’s commitment to reduce waste, decrease energy consumption, and provide environmentally friendly services to patrons. McBride notes that “the Center’s ongoing green initiatives have been furthered at OUTSIDE, where we’ll again offer biodegradable containers and utensils, easy-to-access recycling bins, even more bike racks for those arriving on two wheels, and marketing materials printed on recycled paper.”

The second performance on Friday, August 3, is a great opportunity for the entire region to rev up for the forthcoming 2012-13 season at Krannert Center; tickets for these events go on sale Saturday, August 11, at 10am. The August 3 event will also feature a green fair that will invite sustainability-minded local businesses and organizations to take advantage of free exhibit space to share information about their green efforts. Interested parties can contact Lisa Lillig at 217/244-6298 or lillig@illinois.edu for more information.

Performances

Friday, July 13, 2012, at 6:30pm, free
Nation Beat with opening act the Bow-Dacious String Band

Immerse in secondline and maracatu, a little zydeco and forró, plus funk and Brazilian country as Nation Beat gets the party started OUTSIDE for 2012. Calling it “Americana music from both Americas,” bandleader Scott Kettner traces the group’s distinctive sound—honed through years of collaboration on stage and in the studio—to its origins in northeastern Brazil and the Deep South of the United States. Kettner with captivating singer Liliana Araujo host this open-air party swirling with Mardi Gras and Carnival melodies.

Founded in 2003 and led by Robin Kearton, the Bow-Dacious String Band collects kids as young as seven through 20-somethings with spunk and skill for improvised music, popular tunes, and traditional pieces. This joyful bunch devoted to cooperation has elated crowds at the Boneyard Arts Festival and the Taste of Champaign.

Friday, August 3, 2012, at 6:30pm, free
Green Fair: Featuring a Bike Rodeo sponsored by Safer Routes to School with support from The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign at 6pm
The Giving Tree Band with opening act Mo’ Betta Music

Country folk and driving bluegrass spin out from The Giving Tree Band, whose dense harmonies and rock spirit evoke the enduring magic of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the Beatles. Eric and Todd Fink—the songwriting powerhouse brothers on guitar and banjo—pen narratives that unfurl with joy and charm. Dubbed “the greenest band in the land” by Mother Earth News, this group performs on instruments made from reclaimed and naturally fallen wood, has produced recordings fueled by solar energy and packaged with recycled and biodegradable materials, and helps maintain its carbon-neutral footprint with bike commutes.

Starting at 6pm, you can browse the Green Fair for products and resources for sustainable practices, and bring your youngsters to the Bike Rodeo sponsored by Safer Routes to School with support from The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign for tips on bike handling and safety.

At 6:30pm, grab a spot in front of the stage for tunes from Mo’ Betta Music. Grade school and high school students from the community perform, gain skills on instruments from the clarinet to the electric guitar, and become more involved socially and academically through this program sponsored by the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois.

Location, Parking, and Services

These concerts will be held just southwest of Assembly Hall on First Street in the Research Park. Free parking is available in the lot south of the Caterpillar/SAIC Building at 1901 South First Street.

All performances are free and open to the general public.
Beverages, wine, and food are available from Houlihan’s Restaurant in the concession area locatedat the northwest corner of the Caterpillar/SAIC Building.
Restrooms are available inside the Caterpillar/SAIC Building at 1901 South First Street.

Presented by Krannert Center in association with Fox/Atkins Development, LLC, and the University of Illinois

Corporate Sponsors:
Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon
Illinois Natural History Survey/Prairie Research Institute

Community Partner:
The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign

Additional Information
Visit www.KrannertCenter.com or call 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX (527-2849).
Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired may also contact Krannert Center via TTY at 217/333-9714

by Anna Marie Petrarca Gire

She closed the book, placed it on the table, and finally, decided to walk
through the door.

He had arrived, flanked on both sides by two shadowy figures draped in a
color she had never seen. It was light in back of them but so dark in
front. She began to have a difficult time making anything out; the shadows
were becoming blurry and beginning to change colors. She wondered what
would happen if she left. As though sensing her thoughts, the figures
dissolved into a light mist and began rising from the floor. She asked,
“May I leave?” No response. The room was alive with sounds and smells, none
familiar to her. As the room began to brighten, the shadowy figures melted
into the wall, at first discernable, then totally absorbed by the paint
which by now was beginning to run. As fast as that occurred the room was
quiet and the walls solid.
She looked around and found there were three doors, all slightly ajar. She
went to the door to her right, looked in and saw nothing but an empty cold
space void of anything to engage her senses. She ventured in, turned around
several times and began to notice shapes forming, odd shapes. Nothing
looked familiar, nothing looked out of place. She began to enjoy this show
of.. what was happening? She wasn’t afraid, she didn’t know how she felt.
Then she began to feel a sense of newness, like a field of flowers just
emerging from a long winters nap. The flowers were suddenly there, her
favorite, stock, daffodils filling the air with fragrant wisps of smells.
She looked further and saw the sun rising over a hill to her right. A
beautiful sun rise, filled with colors that she had never seen. Music was
playing, soft soothing melodies, the likes of which she had never heard.
She was swept up in a feeling of peace and the start of something. What was
this, should she stay or leave? The sun started to drop, the music subsided
and the flowers retreated back into the ground. She backed up and slowly
left the room, closing the door softly as she left.
She looked around and felt the middle door beckoning to her. She approached
and walked in, feeling safe and serene and was overcome with such a feeling
of love and peace that it took her breath away. Here she heard the flute
playing her name. A bright and steady light brightened the space in front
of her. She wanted to stay and have this feeling blanket her with its
essence, Should she stay? Suddenly everything began to return to normal,
she backed up and reluctantly left the room.
As she exited, she looked to her left and began to walk towards that door.

Entering, she saw light and activity. People going from here to there:
lights, familiar faces, buildings that she recognized, a life that she
knew. Was this for her? She looked longingly at this scene and it felt
right, or did it? People began to fade, buildings disappeared, she heard
her name and thought again, is this for me? Backing out of the room, she
again shut the door and stepped out on to the open space staring at the
doors and then decided to return to her book. Finally, she closed the book,
placed it on the table and eagerly and with great purpose walked through
the door.

Rieva Lesonsky – CEO,
www.GrowBizMedia.com  

I have two friends who quit their jobs to start their own business on July 3 four years ago. They always refer to it as their own, personal “Independence Day.”
Starting your own business is in many ways a declaration of independence. So in honor of July Fourth, I thought I’d take a look at some myths and realities about just how independent you’ll be as a small business owner.
Myth: When you’re a small business owner, you’ll be your own boss.
Reality: As an entrepreneur, you have many bosses. They’re called your customers, and sometimes each of them will be so demanding, you’ll wish for the days when you only had one boss telling you what to do.
Myth: When you’re a small business owner, you can do things however you want to do them.
Reality: No one acts in a vacuum. If you want your business to be successful, you’ll need to test your own ideas against what the market wants. Market research before you start, and customer surveys after you start, will tell you if the way you want to do things is in tune with what the market wants.
Myth: When you’re a small business owner, you’ll have a lot more free time.
Reality: Every small business owner I know is laughing maniacally as they read that. If you expect to have more free time than you did as an employee, you’re going to be disappointed. Prepare to work twice as hard and twice as long.
If these are the realities of owning a business, why does anyone do it? Well, these aren’t the only realities. Being an entrepreneur does offer plenty of opportunities to be creative, set your own course and do what you want to do (just not all the time). Being an entrepreneur is kind of like what they say about having kids or joining the Marines: It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love. And if it’s right for you, you’ll know it—and you’ll love it.
Ready to declare your independence?
A SCORE mentor can help you get your new business off on the right foot.
Visit www.score.org to get matched with a mentor and get free business advice 24/7.
Rieva Lesonsky – CEO, www.GrowBizMedia.com

Rieva is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company specializing in covering small businesses and entrepreneurship. She was formerly Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine and has written several books about small business and entrepreneurship

Senator Wayne Fontana | Brookline District Office930 Brookline Boulevard | Pittsburgh, PA 15226-2106

For months now, we have watched Highmark and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) battle grow over providing services for so many individuals in our region. I have heard from dozens of my constituents saying government must get involved and stopped this from happening. However, what if you are one of the unfortunate individuals who do not have health insurance to receive these services? Imagine being told you can’t see a doctor based on factors you cannot always control. Don’t these people matter too?
After months of partisan debate, in March 2010, Congress narrowly passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in hopes of reducing the nation’s escalating uninsured population. The new mandate, dubbed “Obamacare,” requires uninsured individuals, a bove a certain income level, to purchase health insurance or face penalties which become effective January 1, 2014. In addition, the creation of state insurance exchanges will take place under this act where people and small businesses can buy private coverage from a range of competing insurers. This new law is estimated to extend health coverage for about 32 million uninsured Americans.
The act protects all citizens and adds a safety net by imposing new restrictions on health insurers, barring them from excluding customers with preexisting health conditions as well as requires that all customers be charged the same rates. A wide range of healthy individuals will be needed in order for these new exchanges to be successful and keep rates down. However, individuals will have the ability to “opt out” of purchasing health insurance. If a person decides to opt out of buying coverage, they will incur a penalty starting at $95 or 1 percent of their income in 2014, whichever is greater, growing to $695 or 2.5 percent of their income by 2016.
The Affordable Care Act also requires businesses with 50 or more employees to provide a minimum level of health insurance for each employee, or pay a penalty of $2,000. Qualified businesses would receive a 35 percent tax credit to lower the cost of providing insurance.
Medicaid’s size will be fundamentally restructured and expanded under the new law by raising income levels of those who qualify. For decades, Medicaid has been a health-care benefit available only to people with income levels below the federal poverty line. At the end of May, Pennsylvania administered Medicaid insurance to 2.2 million people. The expansion of Medicaid would include an estimated 800,000 Pennsylvanians and 17 million people nationwide.
The federal government will pay for all the cost of the expansion of Medicaid, apart from additional administrative outlays, for several years. The states’ share of the cost of the expansion will reach 10 percent by 2020. The Health and Human Services Department has the ability to withhold a state’s entire Medicaid allotment if the state does not comply with the Medicaid provisions.

Many leaders and lawmakers across the country feel that this new law is unconstitutional because it forces individuals to purchase insurance as well as increases states’ Medicaid spending. For that reason, 20 states have joined together and challenged the Affordable Care Act, including Pennsylvania. In March, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in several lawsuits over the law and a decision was made by the court on June 28, 2012. Essentially, the Supreme Court upheld President Obama’s health-care overhaul, including the requirement that all nonexempt Americans buy health insurance and the provisions expanding Medicaid, but, the court struck down the requirement that states lose all of their federal Medicaid funding if they decline to participate in the expansion.
Most Republican-led states have been counting on the law to be overturned and have failed to begin the process to set up exchanges. This is the current situation Pennsylvania faces. In fact, Pennsylvania’s Insurance Department has yet to spend any of its $33 million in federal grants to develop the marketplaces. Governor Tom Corbett has said that no decision has been made on whether our state would participate in the Medicaid expansion. The question now remains if Pennsylvania can meet the January 2014 deadline. If our state can’t or doesn’t meet the deadline the federal government will step in and run our health exchanges for us.
Pennsylvania has already joined the more than a dozen states with laws pertaining to the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In March, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 10 which amends the Pennsylvania Constitution to prohibit the government from mandating that an individual obtain health insurance coverage. The General Assembly would need to reapprove the constitutional amendment in their 2013-14 session and then present it to voters before it could become state law.
As a world leader, many nations look to the United States to set the tone for how citizens should be treated and what services should be received, yet we still have millions of people in our country uninsured. Many decades ago, President Harry Truman was the first president to propose a universal health care plan for our country and many unsuccessful attempts have been made thereafter by both Republican and Democratic Presidents and leaders alike. Furthermore, health care is close to one-fifth of the U.S. economy, and we spend about 50 percent more on it than any other industrialized country. However, the United States still remains the only industrialized nation to not have universal coverage for its citizens. What has taken us so long to pass such a measure?
What this new mandate does is offer the promise of guaranteed coverage at affordable prices. Every taxpayer should be entitled to the care they need and we should not be putting more hurdles in the way to prevent such a goal. Pennsylvania has had plenty of time to start to developing health exchanges and instead the administration is pushing constitutional amendments to deny people of their rights. I can only hope that this latest United States Supreme Court ruling will be the final word and let the country know that we need to get down to business so that uninsured families across the United States no longer have to suffer.

July 5, 2012
Corporations are NOT people!
We are organizing
our community to
get MONEY out of POLITICS

7:00 p.m.
@ the NUIN CENTER
5655 Bryant Street, Pgh. 15206
Sponsored by: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom American Friends Service
Committee-PA, Move On, Coffee Party, and the Local Authority Western Pennsylvania
For more information contact: 412-661-7149

The WSBA Network Lunch
A Networking Luncheon for Women Business Owners & Professionals
“Get Heard, Get Noticed, Get Leads”

A networking event open to any business woman who would like
to increase her business contacts/clientele. Our networking
format will be structured to provide participants with high
profile and networking. Bring 20-30 business cards/brochures,
cash for your lunch check, and be prepared to give a 60-second commercial about yourself.
July 5 - 11:30 a.m. - Natrona Heights
July 9 - 1:00 p.m. - Beaver County
July 11 - 11:30 a.m. - Shaler/Gibsonia
July 13 - 1:00 p.m. - Robinson/Airport
July 18 - 1:00 p.m. - South Hills
July 19 - 1:00 p.m. - East End
July 20 - 1:00 p.m. - Monroeville
July 23 - 6:30 p.m. - After Work Network (Washington)
July 24 - 1:00 p.m. - North Hills
July 25 - 5:15 p.m. - 5105 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh (After Work)
July 27 - 12:00 p.m. - Westmoreland
Host: Women’s Small Business Association
Fee: $2 meeting fee (plus the cost of lunch)
RSVP: Required (Note: Any “Yes” RSVPs who do not show
will be charged a $20 no-show fee.)

For more info and to register online,
go to: http://www.wsba.ws    

Business Exchange Networking Lunch
* Give a 1-2 minute commercial for your business.
* Bring business cards, brochures, and samples.
* Make new business contacts.

Four Dates and Locations:
July 5 - Wexford, Atria’s, 12980 Perry Highway, Wexford
RSVP: email Michelle Zmijanac at
Michellezmijanac@bestpracticesdelivered.com 
July 11 - Mount Lebanon, Atria’s, 110 Beverly Road,
Mt. Lebanon
RSVP: email Tina Noblers at
TinaNobers@CMNNutritionGroup 
July 18 - Murrysville, Bella Luna Trattoria, 5060 William Penn
Hwy, Monroeville, Pa 15146
RSVP BLXMurrysville@gmail.com 
July 25 - Fox Chapel, Comfort Inn (Old Holiday Inn) in RIDC
Park, Ohara Twp
RSVP: 412-781-8773 or PlanBConsultant@comcast.net 
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 (Bring cash; No-shows will be billed for the lunch)
RSVP: By Monday prior to the event

For more info, go to: http://www.blxnetworking.com 

July 10, 2012
Let’s Make a Deal
Effective Negotiation Strategies for Women in Business

Presented by MJ Tocci, Director and Co‐founder of the
Heinz Negotiation Academy for Women at Carnegie Mellon University
Effective negotiation skills are critical to achieving your
personal and professional goals. Whether you want to better
leverage the skills you already have, or get past negotiation
anxiety, this program is for you. We will examine negotiation
from the unique perspective of women entrepreneurs. Guests are strongly encouraged to attend, so please invite another woman business owner.

Key Takeaways:
1. Stronger negotiation skills to help you get what you want
for yourself and your company
2.Tips for identifying negotiation opportunities you may be missing
3. More confidence in your ability to negotiate successfully
Time: 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Place: Rivers Club, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Sponsors: McKinley Carter Wealth Services; Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe, LLC; PNC; and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh
Cost: $25 (includes lunch)
TO REGISTER: Send an email to ieeregistration@katz.pitt.edu   or call 412.648.1389.
Web Site:www.entrepreneur.pitt.edu

Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday, July 11, 2012

12:00 – 1:00pm
Speaker: - Mary Pam Kilgore, CMP, Kilgore Business Services, LLC
Topic: Making the Most Out Of Vendor Shows
If you are not choosing carefully, promoting, setting and managing your vendor table, collecting names, and evaluating the marketing experience you are wasting your time. Join us to learn tips on making vendor opportunities worth the expense to your marketing plan.

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org 

A Night of Elegant Networking
Gaze at the stars from the luxury of Pittsburgh’s only Five Star
Diamond Restaurant! Enjoy the breathtaking views from historic
Mount Washington while you network with Pittsburgh’s Premiere
Networking Organization.
Complimentary Appetizers and a cash bar and as always, no fee at the door for members and first time guests. If you have attended one or more of our events and are not ready to commit to a year’s membership, there will be now be a fee required to attend. If you would like to join our organization and attend all of our monthly networking events and member only events FREE, visit our website to join.
Date: July 11, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: The Lemont, 1114 Grandview Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Host: Pittsburgh Professional Connection
Cost: Members and First-time Guests- No charge
Questions: Lynda Schneider & Erica Troshak
Pittsburgh Professional Connection, pghproconnection@gmail.com 
or 724-933-6902
Register online at: http://www.pittsburghprofessionalconnection.com   

Inspired Women in Business and Life
An empowering two days of national speakers, breakouts, vendors, coaches, kicking off with a VIP Cocktail Party and Vendor Stroll! Silent auction to benefit girls education in Uganda through Love and Care International. Fearless, Fabulous Women Paying it Forward!
Date: July 12 - 13, 2012
Place: Marriott North, 100 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Twp PA
Host: Team Effort Events
Cost: $135

RSVP/Info: Debra Dion Krischke, 724.935.6100
Register online at:  www.InspiredWomen.com 

Business for Breakfast Networking Event
Featured Presentation:

BBW Chamber Women’s Networking Luncheon
July 13, 2012
Noon
South Hills Country Club
4305 Brownsville Road, 15236
The monthly luncheon meeting* of the Women’s Networking of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce will meet on Friday, July 13, noon, at South Hills Country Club. Please plan on attending and bring a friend. We welcome members and non-members. Tables are available for ladies who would like to display products or merchandise. Everyone will pass out cards and brochures and present a one-minute “commercial.”
Speaker
Anne Kertz Kernion
Practices to Cultivate Inner Peace
We live in a world that rewards multitasking and expects over-scheduled calendars, yet we long for some sense of peace amidst the busy-ness. Drawing on sources from several traditions and the latest in brain research, Anne Kertz Kernion will present some simple practices that can help us bring balance, joy, and yes, even peace, to our daily lives. \
Lunch for Chamber Members - $15 - Bring a friend!
Lunch for Non-Members - $18
Display Table—$10
For reservations
secretary@bbwchamber.com   

Disability Resource Breakfast
Thursday, July 19, 2012
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Speaker:Lisa Schwarz, M.Ed
Topic:Phenomenology of Brainspotting : Info and demo of Brainspotting, a method of trauma treatment which helps a person identify, process and release sources of pain, trauma, dissociation and other challenging symptoms without being re-traumatizing. Schwarz will focus on her special interest in psycho-spiritual healing and transpersonal work.
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org 

Sunday, July 22. Let’s get together at Castaways, 608 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 (http://www.barsmart.com/Castaways/ ) for a great day of fantastic music, raffles, good food and great people. Easy to get to – just take Interstate Route 79 to Exit 54, make a right off the exit, stay in the left lane, then turn left at the light onto Washington Avenue. Castaways is less than 1/2 mile on the left side of the street – municipal parking lot is on the right. NO COVER!

At 1 PM, local singer/songwriter, Leanne Regalla takes the stage (http://livinoutloudmusic.com /) performing some of her original music. What a way to kick of a Sunday!

From 2 until 5 PM, we are happy to introduce the insane Brent Burns. Brent’s music features a great mix of Trop Rock, country and crazy original songs that are guaranteed to make everyone happy. Brent holds the honor of being voted Trop Rock Artist of the Year and Trop Rock Songwriter of the Year. For a preview of our show, check out Brent’s YouTube Videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuSCjbusovs  and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWbjSnU1OCM   We are very excited about Brent bringing his show to Pittsburgh.

We will be holding a raffle to help offset a friend’s medical bills. Many wonderful prize baskets have been donated – be sure to bring a little extra cash.

Cindy and Justin of Castaways are planning a great menu, including a pig roast. There’s a huge outdoor grill and the food is excellent! Possible drink promotions are in the works, too. This is their first venture into the Trop Rock world, and we thank them for taking on this great show. The show goes on rain or shine – there’s even a misting system in place in case it gets too hot – just like Key West.

Come out and spend Sunday afternoon with good times, good friends, good music…… This event is supported by the Phlocking of the Phaithful www.phlocking.com.
Social Media for Business Building:
How to Use It; Why You Can’t Ignore It

Presented by Dave Nelsen

In this entertaining presentation jam-packed with actionable
takeaways Vistage International Speaker of the Year, Dave Nelsen, provides a roadmap for the rapidly evolving world of social media and social networking. LinkedIn, Facebook, Ning, YouTube, Twitter and related services changing the way the world communicates, not just personally but also in business. Nelsen explains the services, describes how and why to use them, and shares concrete example of organization creating new best practices for building your business.
As Charles Darwin said, “It’s not the strongest or most intelligent
that survive but those that adapt to a changing environment most
quickly. This is as true for business as it is for life but on an
accelerated time scale. This highly-interactive talk will help
leaders use social media to adapt most quickly — to enable their
organizations to realize new competitive advantages.

Date: July 24, 2012
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Place: Restaurant ECHO, 1740 Route 228, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
Host: Pittsburgh Business Times
Cost: $25 (includes cont.breakfast)
RSVP: Suggested by July 19 (Seating is limited.)
Register online at:
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/event 

Entrepreneurial Thursday Networking Event
Featured Theme:
Creative Entrepreneurs
A casual weekly networking event for those interested in what’s
innovative and positive in Pittsburgh. A jazz, soul & blues happy
hour show plus open-mike interviews with local executives.

Date: July 26, 2012
Time: 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Place: Little E’s, 949 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh
Host: Jessica Lee
Cost: $5 (hors d’ouevres included)

For further info, email smarshall@pghgateways.org .

The Entrepreneurial Thursday networking event is held each Thursday evening. For information on upcoming events and featured themes, visit http://www.entrepreneurialthursdays.com 

Generating a Truck-Load of Leads
with Print Advertising
Speaker: Becky Auer
Owner, Profit Catapult Business School
This all meat, no fat marketing meeting is guaranteed to have you walk out with at least one actionable tactic that you can implement immediately and drive business your way. All strategies taught are direct response marketing oriented and based on what’s working now. Limited to 39 people.
Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Time: 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Place: Sigma’s Conference & Event Center, 1717 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Sponsor: Up a Notch Marketing
Cost: FREE for first time guests; $20 for Returning Guests
RSVP Date: Friday, July 27
Registration Web Address:
http://www.nobsmarketingmeeting.com 

By Patricia Thibault
Social Security District Manager in Pittsburgh, PA

This time of year, we see a lot of weddings, and in many cases that means name changes.
If you need to change your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, you will want
to report the change to Social Security.

There are several reasons to report the change. First, IRS and Social Security match computer
records. If the name and Social Security number you report on your tax return do not match the
name and Social Security number in our records, it could delay the processing of your return
as well as any tax refund you might be due.

It is important to make sure your Social Security records are up-to-date is because your potential Social Security benefits are based almost entirely on the earnings record we maintain for you. If your employer reports earnings to the government under your new name, and your Social Security record still shows your old name, those earnings may not get credited to your Social Security earnings record. Missing earnings can lead to lower future Social Security benefits.

To change your name in Social Security’s records, you must apply for a new Social Security card. To make the application process faster and easier, just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ and print out the form for a Social Security card, “Application Form SS-5.” That’s also the form you need if you simply want to apply for a replacement card. The application form also tells you what evidence you will need to submit.

Complete the one-page form and bring or mail it to your local Social Security office with proper documentation. All documents must be originals or certified copies and must have information that clearly identifies you, like your date and place of birth. The application includes information on what types of identity and documentation are needed for specific cases, and what sorts of documents we can accept.

The application process is easy, and described well (along with other things you may want to know about your Social Security card and number) at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

That on July 2, 1979 the Susan B. Anthony dollar was released?

That on July 2, 1937 - Amelia Earhart’s plane was lost in the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island?

That on July 2, 1964 - President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act;
Title VII prohibiting sex discrimination in employment ?

That July 4, 1876 - Suffragists crashed the Centennial Celebration in Independence Hall
to present the Vice President with the “Declaration of the Rights of Women” written by Matilda Joselyn Gage?

That on July 6, 1957 - Althea Gibson was the first African American woman player to win a
Wimbledon title in women’s tennis singles?

That on July 7, 1981 - President Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman
Supreme Court Justice?

That onJuly 12, 1984 - Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-New York) was chosen as the first
female to run for Vice President of the United States on the Democratic Party ticket with
Walter Mondale (D-Minnesota) ?

That July 14, 1917 - 16 women from the National Women’s Party were arrested while picketing
the White House demanding universal women’s suffrage; they were charged with obstructing traffic?

That on July 19-20, 1848 - The Seneca Falls Convention, the country’s first women’s rights convention,
was held in Seneca Falls, New York

That on July 20, 1942 - The first class of Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) began at Fort Des Moines, IA ?

There are literally hundreds of useful websites for small businesses.
The sites presented below target the most frequent questions of our clients.
And they will lead you to broader lists for more specific issues that you may have.

SCORE Pittsburgh Chapter #007
411 7th Avenue, Suite 1450
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Tel: 412-395-6560 x 130
Fax: 412-395-6562
info@scorepittsburgh.com 

www.score.org   - The National SCORE site has a wealth of infomation, be sure to check out the Business Tools and How-To sections.
www.sba.gov  - Small Business Administration is the most comprehensive listing of government resources and information about small business. This is the entry point for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants and help for minorities. Here you will also find the Small Business Resource Guide, covering small business information, federal taxes, etc.
www.carnegielibrary.org/locations/business   - The Library Center Business Department provides a very useful website for business.

General Information

[pdf] PA Entrepreneur’s Guide (view as html) - The Entrepreneur’s Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania contains free services, checklists, helpful tips and licensing procedures.
www.toolkit.cch.com   - CCH Small Business This site has excellent planning and general information for small business and emphasizes finances and tax information. They will send you a very useful newsletter by email.
www.emkf.org   - Kaufman Foundation for Entrepreneurial Leadership www.entreworld.com  , are websites provided by the Kaufman Foundation. These websites have lots of useful information and www.fasttrac.org provides start-up training programs for entrepreneurs.
www.startupjournal.com —Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs
www.allbusiness.com  —All Around Business Advice
www.inc.com  —Inc. Magazine Business Information

Business Planning
www.businessplans.org   - The Center for Business Planning Help Very useful business plan resources.

Marketing
www.census.gov/csd   - North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), which has now replaced the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code: Breaks down all businesses by type and location and is useful for marketing research
www.fedstats.gov   - FedStats - The gateway to statistics from 100 Federal Agencies.

Legal & Regulatory Issues

www.nolo.com   - Nolo Press Legal Self Help A lot of good legal information for small business
www.mycorporation.com  —Incorporation Information
www.irs.gov/smallbiz  —Internal Revenue Service - Forms, Tax Help
www.business.gov   - Business Advisor will lead you to many agencies and their small business programs.
www.state.pa.us   - The Pennsylvania Government provides comprehensive information about small business resources and activities in the state.

Financing
www.clfund.com    - CL Fund provides capital to businesses in western Pennsylvania to have an impact in the region and to encourage entrepreneurship.

SOHO (Small Office/Home Office)

www.nase.org   - National Association of the Self Employed
www.hoaa.com   - Home Office Association of America
www.nationalbusiness.org   - National Business Association
www.workingsolo.com   - Working Solo
www.uschamber.com   - US Chamber of Commerce
www.aahbb.org   - American Association of Home-Based Businesses

Women-Owned Businesses
www.abwa.org   - American Business Women’s Association
www.nawbo.org   - National Association of Women Business Owners
www.wwork.com   - Women’s Work