Women’s Independent Press

By Yvonne Phillips FSII

YvonnePhillips1@aol.com
www.Creativecolordesigninc.com
www.Fengshuipublications.com

www.Fengshuiabc1.com

 

The constant worry, separation anxiety and practical challenges of running a home that may be moved several times during the deployment of a military spouse is a chronic and cumbersome circumstance that befalls many of the millions of US armed service families. Transience, separation and loneliness compound the daily rigors of running a household in unstable economic times and fulfilling the overwhelming role of both mother and father to children who often worry about the safety of their parent serving and contend with the complexities of adjusting to multiple schools and living environments. All of these factors contribute to much of what cannot be controlled, yet influenced through optimization of environment and focusing awareness to space and the flow, or lack thereof, created within the home.
The head of the household will want to bring harmony and positive flow to the dining area where family members gather for mealtimes. Place a mirror on a wall above the table, being careful not cut off the heads of those seated there, in order to reflect togetherness and connection. Enhance the table with green accents, such as a tablecloth to inspire a sense of family as well as community. Use a circular mat, round bowl, or circular mirror holding candles in the middle to trigger health chi. The circle is a most auspicious form in Feng Shui and can be used in the center of a room in the form of a rug beneath the table.
For a calming retreat from stress, both the bath and bedroom are sanctuaries for escape and relaxation. Avoid blue tile or paint in the bathroom, as water can “drown” positive chi flow in a room that already contains an abundance of this element. Close the lid of the commode, add bamboo or framed images of such, or purchase some very inexpensive bamboo rods to offset the water element. Light some pink candles to energize relationships that may be challenged by distance or the strain of tours of duty and relax in a warm tub of bubbles.
In the bedroom, avoid all water elements, including fountains. De-clutter frequently and compensate for any sharp corners on dressers or tables with plants. Remove photos of children and family to another space in the home, pair similar objects, such as candlesticks and knick knacks together on dressing tables and night stands to reinforce partnerships and balance. Explore the potentials of Feng Shui to support much-deserved positive flow and calm in your space.

Q. My 80-year-old mother who lives alone sometimes gets herself so worked up over things that suddenly she can’t remember anything and then becomes nearly incapacitated. Is this common?

A study earlier this year from Rush University Medical Center found that people who are easily distressed and have more negative emotions are more likely to develop memory problems than more easygoing people.

In commenting about the study, author Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, said: “People differ in how they tend to experience and deal with negative emotions and psychological distress, and the way people respond tends to stay the same throughout their adult lives. In previous studies, Wilson and his colleagues showed that people who are easily distressed are also more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than more easygoing people.

The most recent study found that those who often experience negative emotions such as depression and anxiety were 40 percent more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than those who were least prone to negative emotions. “These findings suggest that, over a lifetime, chronic experience of stress affects the area of the brain that governs stress response. Unfortunately, that part of the brain also regulates memory.”

Seniors who are cooped up at home for long periods of time can become emotionally distraught over the smallest things and become forgetful as a result. Outside activities and companionship may make a difference for those seniors who are easily distressed and experiencing negative emotions.
For fifteen years, the Home Instead Senior Care® franchise network has been devoted to providing seniors with the highest quality care in their own homes, and to arming families with the information they need to make the best decisions about caring for aging loved ones. If you, or any organization of which you are a part, is interested in learning more, please contact our office. We would be happy to speak to your group free of charge about this subject, our services, and even employment opportunities.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Champagne, Human Resource Coordinator
Home Instead Senior Care
1102 S Braddock Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Phone: (412) 731-0733
Rebecca.Champagne@homeinstead.com

NOVEMBER 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.

November 3 Scams and Frauds – At Home, Work and on the Internet
Rebecca Maier, Public Relations Director
Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Western Pennsylvania

Scammers are clever individuals who know exactly how to gain the trust (and often the money) of their innocent prey. Since opportunities for deception are all around us, we need to understand how some of these operations work. Ms. Maier will alert us about sweepstakes scams, Internet scams, work-at-home scams, identity theft and more. Find out how you can protect yourself and your family from those who want to take advantage of you.

November 10 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Explained
Debra Blair, Vice President – Financial Consultant
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

What’s the difference between a mutual fund and an ETF? Did you know that ETFs combine the diversified investment feature of mutual funds and can be traded throughout the day? If you want to learn more about ETFs and how they work, here is your opportunity to get the information you’ve been looking for. Ms. Blair will explain the risks and benefits so you can determine if ETFs should be part of your investment portfolio.

November 17 Shop ‘Til You Drop: The Crisis of Consumerism
(DVD – 52 minutes)

Why do we feel the need to “keep up with the Joneses” and impress others with our material possessions? Are we allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the media and advertisers who convince us that we need much more than we actually do? Will buying more “stuff” really make us happier? This documentary provides a fascinating examination of the social, psychological and environmental costs associated with the never-ending pursuit of material happiness.

November 24 No Program - Happy Thanksgiving!

By Marianne Schnall
www.womensmediacenter.com

October 2011

 

Like the national appeal to Rosie the Riveter during World War II, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is asking women to move “Off the Sidelines” to the center of decision making and power in the United States.
 
 Of all the ideas to jump-start the economy, or solve other serious problems facing the world, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is convinced that an obvious strategy has simply never been realized—the equal participation of women.  She cites some startling statistics: “We only have 17 percent women in Congress, we only have six women governors. In terms of economic empowerment, less than 3 percent of women are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and 16 percent are on Fortune 500 corporate boards.” To her, it’s about gender equality but also the multiple benefits in both the political and corporate arenas of having more women at the table when decisions are made.  “A lot of studies show that when women are on corporate boards that companies do better. My own experience in Congress is when women are on committees and at hearings, the nature of the discussion is different, and the outcomes are better—better decisions are made.”
 
Although wary of generalizations, Gillibrand thinks that as more than half the global population, women bring a necessary and different world view. “A woman’s perspective often will complement a man’s” she says.  By bringing both perspectives to the table, “you will have a more holistic approach, one that is 360 degrees.” She finds, for example, that “women are often very good listeners, often consensus-builders, often able to compromise, and reach across party lines in Congress, able to forge deals and reach better solutions.”
 
These types of observations led Senator Gillibrand to create Off the Sidelines, a new initiative and web site intended as “a nationwide call to action to get more women engaged, both in solving this economic crisis and entering political life and being heard on political issues.” Her goal is to “create a one-stop-shop for empowerment,” showing “once you understand the issues and what the challenges are, where can you go to make a difference.”
 
Gillibrand likens Off the Sidelines to the iconic Rosie the Riveter campaign during World War II when record numbers of women—including her grandmother, great aunt and great grandmother—entered the workforce while men were off fighting the war. “I feel like we need Rosie the Riveter of our generation. That campaign alone produced two million women into the work force within 14 months, and by the end of the war, six million.” Today’s call to action would say “women, we need you to be advocates, to be heard on the issues you care about, to be voting, to be running for office, to be part of decision making.”
 
On the economic front, she believes women are poised to make strides to boost our economy. “If we are going to out-innovate, out-compete, out-educate our competitors,” she says, “we are only going to succeed if women are leading the way.” She points out, “Women are now graduating with more than 50 percent of advanced degrees, more than 50 percent of college degrees—and women-owned and minority-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector within small businesses.” However, to reap the full benefits we must confront longstanding road blocks, by addressing issues like pay equity. “Women are earning 78 cents on the dollar—if we had equal pay in this country, you could raise the GDP [Gross National Product] by up to nine percent.” And she adds,  “Women start businesses with eight-times less capital than men.” If they had the same access to capital, we would see substantial growth, she says “because women owned businesses are so fast-growing.”
 
The other challenge facing many women these days—the struggle to balance work and family—has always been an issue of interest for the senator, and something she can personally relate to, as the mother of two children herself.  “We’ve had these women’s economic empowerment roundtables all across the state, and we got feedback about the lack of affordable day care, good, quality early childhood education.” Employers should know, she said, that “when they provide child care services, or when they make it easier for parents to work, they are increasing access to very good workers. That it’s a very pro-economic [growth] issue.” Advantages to businesses are backed up by studies that “show that if you provide day care on site or make it accessible, that actually a lot of parents are more productive workers as a result.” Senator Gillibrand is already trying to tackle this through presenting “a number of pieces of legislation to double the tax credit for early childhood education” and offer “incentives for employers to create opportunities for on-site day care, or easily accessible day care.”
 
One of the strengths of the Off the Sidelines web site is personal narratives from women about what inspired them. For Gillibrand, it was her grandmother. “She was a woman who came from very modest means—never went to college and was a secretary in Albany state legislature. She wanted to have a say in the priorities of the people who represented her. And so she organized other women to work on campaigns with candidates that they valued. She made a huge impact on the political landscape  [by] fighting for issues she cared about, and using the grassroots as a tool to amplify her voice.”
 
Sharing “stories from regular women about what got them off the sidelines, why they care about an issue and what they’re going to do about it,” in an interactive way is critical to the site, she says. “Oftentimes women need to see other women doing things as a guide.”
 
Gillibrand frames Off the Sidelines as a call to action because, she says, studies have found “that women really need to be asked to participate, that they respond very well when they’re asked to run for office.” She is quick to add, that “the studies also show that when women do run, they win—that they do have the ability, they do have the tenacity, they do have the drive, they can raise the funds.” Women need to hear that “this is something that they can do.  That you can find a way to balance a career and family—that there is a way that you can be part of the decision-making fabric of this country and still be a good mother.” She says women ask themselves, “Is it the right time in my family’s life to take on these challenges? And my call to action is very comprehensive—do whatever you can do: Are you voting? Are you being heard? Are there issues that you care about that you could advocate for? Would you ever consider running for office?” Her call to action is for women’s participation across the board.
 
“Getting off the sidelines is a state of mind,” says Gillibrand, a matter of “understanding that women’s voices matter.” The timing is “urgent,” she says.  “I mean, this is one of the toughest economic crises we have been in, certainly in my lifetime, and if we are going to grow our economy and really create a competitive environment against other nations, we need women as part of that effort. We need women leading the way. Until women are able to achieve their potential, America will not achieve hers.”

For more information, visit  http://www.offthesidelines.org.

For more information, visit http://www.offthesidelines.org.

Kathryn Atwood’s book reviews have appeared in numerous print and online journals and she is the author of the new young adult title,

“Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue

Ms Atwood’s book is available at www.amazon.com

 

Women’s history is not always taught in school, so it is rare that young women are aware of the many accomplishments of women through the ages. One such book, Women Heroes of World War 11 identifies 26 women, who with courage of conviction, used their skills to help defeat the Nazis and made a tremendous difference in the lives of many during that time. If you are interested in history, this book is a must read, it will add to what you may have already learned and it will serve to inspire young women everywhere.
Anna Marie Petrarca Gire
www.womensindependentpress.com

“This book tells the stories of the brave, unknown women who risked their lives during World War II to fight for what they believed in. I loved the short stories on the adventures of all the women and felt inspired by all of their courageous acts”
Heidi Schmidt, (Women’s Independent Press) WIP Teens

“What Alice Knew” is a fascinating and entertaining fictionalized “what if” look at the Jack the Ripper Murders (sometimes referred to as the Whitechapel Murders) if the case had been solved by the three famous James siblings, William, Henry, and Alice.

Bringing late 19th-century London brilliantly to life – and writing in a style very similar to that found in the psychologically-attuned, detail-oriented novels of Henry James – Marantz Cohen manages to spin a page-turning mystery while presenting illuminating characterizations, both hilarious and tragic.

The book’s premise is established when Detective-Inspector Frederick Abberline, (the leader of the actual investigation), summons philosopher and psychologist William James from across the Atlantic to help solve the case. Henry and their sister Alice, already living in London in separate locations, agree to a collaborative effort with William, putting together their “much vaunted intelligence and creative skill to catch [the Ripper.]”

Using a shifting point of view, we see London of 1888 through the eyes of each sibling. Marantz Cohen portrays the dinner party-hoping Henry as being always a little jealous and critical of other writers, having him nearly break out into a fist fight with the visiting Samuel Clemens – “he did not like the homely demeanor that Clemens affected, and he liked even less the man’s great success with it” — and initially refusing to drink out of a mug on which was painted the face of a Dickens character. At one point, when Henry and William visit the book’s oft-presented Oscar Wilde in his home, Henry notices that Wilde’s wife closely resembles him: “the resemblance was not surprising. If someone like Wilde was going to marry, he would try as far as possible to marry himself.”

Class distinctions are well delineated in the book and the philosophical William, upon his arrival in London, is struck by the foundational differences between American and British societies: “Thrown into the hubbub of the London streets after a workday, he was struck by the reality of teeming human life that his daily existence tended to obscure. The difference, he also realized, was the difference between the New World and the Old. . . . here, the past was always present, pushing up against you in coats of arms and family estates . . . Even among working people, the past hung heavy. They were pressed into age-old traditions and customs, following along, doing what was expected, doing what was always done. The idea of following the past because it was the past repulsed him . . .”

The reader is dropped, medias res, into the investigation as Inspector Abberline updates the medically trained William on the grisly murders that have already occurred, showing him stark photographs of the victims, and the page-turning murder mystery is on, each James sibling – always completely in character — contributing significantly to the final and satisfying denouement

ISBN-13: 978-1402243554
ISBN-10: 1402243553
Publisher: Sourcebooks

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.

By Rieva Lesonsky
Pittsburgh SCORE | 411 Seventh Avenue | Suite 1450 | Pittsburgh | PA | 15219
www.scorepittsburgh.org

Find a chapter in your area for free Small Business Advice
www.score.org

It’s not enough just to have created a Facebook fan page and Twitter account. You have to actually use these tools to promote your business, or you’re missing out on a valuable marketing opportunity. While Facebook seems to work best if you target consumers, while Twitter works for both consumers and B-to-B sales, most customers expect you to be active on both platforms. Here are some tips to help you leverage your social media activity.

1.Show up every day. Although you don’t want to overburden your customers with too many postings, it’s important to show you’re active everyday of the work week. Are you running a special this week? Want some feedback on what your customers think of your new service or product? Send a shout out to a great client who made your day? Make a point of posting at least one interesting thing daily so customers will want to check in.

2.Make it worthwhile. Post a special promotion code for Twitter followers or give out a free item for customers who “Like” your Facebook page. Own a restaurant? You can also tweet about the daily special.

3.Be timely. Think about the time of day you tweet or post. Post too early or too late and many people will miss what you have to say. If you’re highlighting a food item, try and tweet near the lunch or dinner hour. Any holidays coming up? Make sure you post last minute seasonal specials.

4.Get familiar with helpful apps. Helpful new applications for Facebook and Twitter seem like they’re issued almost daily—and many are business-oriented. Do a search on applications for Facebook and Twitter, read the reviews to see which really work, and then experiment with them to see if they are truly helpful.

5.Don’t flake out. Social media is time consuming (and can be addictive). As a business owner, if you don’t feel you have the time to make a good effort, delegate the tasks to someone else. The point of using social media is to make sure customers see your business as dynamic.

BizSuccessTips Editor Rieva Lesonsky is founder and CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company. A nationally recognized small-business expert, Lesonsky has appeared on hundreds of radio shows and numerous local and national television programs. Read more of her insights at www.SmallBizDaily.com

Dorothy Coll is President of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, a local and long distance moving company that offers a full line of moving-related services that can be customized to meet each customer’s individual needs. Dottie and her husband, Ray, opened the business in 2005 in the South Hills with two trucks and five employees. Today, they have grown to 16 trucks and over 40 employees and a second location in the Sewickley area. In March of 2010, Dorothy was selected as one of the 25 Top Women Business Leaders by the PITTSBURGH BUSINESS TIMES. She is also the recipient of the 2008 Pittsburgh Airport Chamber’s Small Business Excellence Award in recognition of the ability to overcome obstacles that have resulted in operational efficiency, customer loyalty, revenue growth, and job creation.

She is committed to exceeding her customers’ expectations and ensuring each move is completed properly. Giving back to the community is one of the core values and the basis for our tag line, “Movers who Care.” Ten cents from every move in the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® system is donated to the American Cancer Society. Dottie is immediate past-president of the Brentwood Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. She passionately advocates on behalf of all local businesses and especially women-owned. In 2006, she started a networking organization for women in the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall area which meets monthly at South Hills Country Club. Additionally, she generously donates time and moving services to numerous local charities.

Remembering Hiroshima: Imagining Peace
There are a whole series of events happening this fall:

October 2: film showing “Barefoot Gen 2” CMU, Doherty Hall 2315.

October 12: Junko Kayashige, a Hibakusha (survivor) and artist, will speak at CMU, Porter Hall 100 as part of CMU’s “Two Weeks of Peace.”

October 19: Town hall meeting Grappling with Nuclear Power, University of Pittsburgh, O’Hara Student Center Ballroom, 4024 O’Hara St.

October 24 – 28: Singing Tree Project with Laurie Marshall at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

October 4 - Greater Pittsburgh Business & Professional Women’s Meeting - 6pm - 8pm, Max’s Allegheny Tavern Suissman St. - RSVP. 412.480.5247

Go Pink at Panera
Location: Pittsburgh-area Paneras

October 4: 100% of the Pink Ribbon Bagel proceeds will be donated to the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation (YWBCAF).
October 5-31: A portion of the proceeds from the Pink Ribbon Bagel will be donated to YWBCAF.
Proceeds benefit the YWBCAF, who supports the Patient Navigator Program at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.

October 6 – 30 - Quantum Theatre - The End of the Affair - Adapted from Graham Greene’s novel by Karla Boos; directed by Martin Giles - Curtain: Wednesdays – Saturday 8p, Sunday 7p - former Emma Kaufmann Clinic, 3028 Brereton Street in Polish Hill - Call ShowClix 1-888-71-TICKETS or visit www.quantumtheatre.com to book; $35 - $48 with a limited number of $18 student tickets.

Women’s Power Lunch –Washington (NEW!)
October 7, 2011
DoubleTree by Hilton-Meadow Lands
340 Racetrack Road
Washington, PA 15301
Cost: $30.00 (Prepayment Required)
RSVP: Melanieansell@comcast.net
Online Payment: www.womenspowerlunch.com
412-848-0165

October 8 -
10 AM – 3 PM 
LaRoche College Kearn Spirituality Center 
9000 Babcock Blvd 
Allison Park - Register Online www.DrNancyOnline.com
$59.00 per person before Oct 1. Includes lunch.

 $69.00 per person after Oct 1, 2011
NORTH HILLS WORKSHOP PRESENTED BY DR. NANCY MRAMORYOUR RIDE THROUGH LIFE: GETTING ALL OF YOURSELF ON THE BUS
Do you want to achieve a goal but you stop yourself – Meet your Saboteur! Does a part of you want to play while another wants to work – Meet your inner adult and your inner child! Are you a self-critical –Meet your perfectionist and… If you are committed to following your authentic vision for your life – Meet your intuition! We think we are one person, but really we are more like a committee on a bus that runs your life.

October 9 - Connecting Women’s Wisdom
Join the Sisters and other women for Liturgy and brunch, followed by a presentation with time for group sharing and quiet reflection. Presenter: Sister Nancy Langhart, OSF. Free will donations accepted - 8:30 AM - Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse Lecture Hall - 3603 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh - For more information or to register:
www.osfprov.org - 412-885-7406

October 10 - Silpada Jewelry fundraiser benefiting Bethlehem Haven, Hosted by Bonnie DiCarlo, Board Member, Susan Anderson, Silpada Representative
7pm - 8:30pm - 6327 Jackson St. - In Highland Park - RSVP 412-480-5247

October 11 - Linked In Workshop now in West VA!! Join me in Morgantown at:
Social Networking for Business Should You Be Linked IN? - 9:00am to 11:30am
at Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa - Tickets just $39
www.pittsburghprofessionalwomen.net

October 11- This event will be hosted by Savoy Restaurant - from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are $35 for Business Times subscribers ($45 for nonsubscribers) and include hors d’oeuvres and two drinks.
Located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s thriving strip district, Savoy Restaurant has made its mark on Pittsburgh’s rich culinary and entertainment history. This savvy urban bistro is poised to be a premier dining and social destination for Pittsburgh’s Urban, Chic, and Sophisticated. You won’t find a more desirable place for happy hour, dinner, business meetings, and hosting special occasions. To register http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/event/53871?mp=1

- Welcome to Oz – Where Small Business and Sustainability Collide

October 11 - Allegheny County, The City of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center, Chatham University and Building Bridges for Business will host Welcome to Oz – Where Small Business and Sustainability Collide to educate and empower business owners. The third seminar in the SOLD OUT series will be held on October 10, 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel. The key note speaker will inspire attendees and 15+ resources will share strategies to be sustainable and grow their business. Details for the October 2011 Welcome to Oz event are located on www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will give opening remarks. Dr Winslow Sargeant, coming to Pittsburgh specifically for this event, is currently the Chief Advocate for Small Business Research and Regulatory Affairs. President Obama appointed Winslow to this role in 2009.

October 12 - FREE Teleclass with Diana Fletcher - “Get Motivated, Build Momentum, and Keep it Going!” Call will be recorded. All registrants will receive recording—You MUST register by the time of the call to receive the recording and any additional goodies - For More Information and to Register: www.dianafletcher.com/events/teleclasses

October 12 - from 9am-11;30am - Pittsburgh Professional Women Workshop “Social Networking for Business, How do I become Linked IN?” Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa with Special Guest Speaker Beth Caldwell, Author and Publicity Expert
www.pittsburghprofessionalwomen.net

October 12 - Brown Bag Lunch - 12:00 – 1:00pm - Speaker: Jenn Carr, J Squared & Associates - Topic: Fix Your Credit Report - Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, 1650 Main Street Pittsburgh - FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

October 13 - from 6-8pm for Clever Connections, a Networking Dinner for Professional Women - With Special Guest Speaker Cathy Bednar, Astrological Insights by Cathy. Topic: Using Astrology to Define Your Purpose Atria’s Fox Chapel (O’Hara Township) 1374 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh
www.pittsburghprofessionalwomen.net

- Building Change: A Convergence for Social Justice
October 13-15

Senator John Heinz Regional History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The price range for this event is $5-$10 per day and $10 for the evening festivities, with a special All-Event package available. A limited number of sponsorships, program booklet ad space, and tabling opportunities are also available. Detailed information is available on the websites at www.buildingchangewpa.org, and www.trcfwpa.org.

TCOMM EVENT – October 13, 2011
“Commercializing New Technologies”
100 Lytton Avenue
Holiday Inn, Pittsburgh @ University Center (Oakland)
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Register before Oct. 4 and pay only $119
The TCOMM Event is a fast-paced, interactive conference designed for
small businesses and innovators that want to commercialize new technologies.
Register Today At www.duq.edu/sbdc
or Call 412.396.1633

October 14, 2011
BRENTWOOD BALDWIN WHITEHALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
 WOMEN’S NETWORKING LUNCHEON
 Noon: South Hills Country Club
 
The monthly luncheon meeting* of the Women’s Networking of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce will meet on Friday, October 14, 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.”
 
Do Your Want to See Yourself in Print?
  Suzanne Caplan, author of 13 published books and project manager on 12 books for others will speak on the current state in the world of writing. For those who have a book in them or those who just love to see their thoughts in public, what are your choices.
  Suzanne is the founder of Women Etcetera, an online social network for women. She is a writer/businesswoman, and regular blogger.
 See you at South Hills Country Club, noon!
 Lunch for Chamber Members - $15 - Bring a friend!
 Lunch for Non-Members - $18
 Display Table $10
 
Please make a reservation* by contacting our secretary:
 Mary Dilla at: 412-884-1233 / secretary@bbwchamber.com

 

Women’s Power Lunch-Butler
October 14, 2011
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Butler Country Club
310 country Club Road
Butler, PA 16003
Cost: $30.00 (Prepayment Required)
RSVP: Suzanne@womenspowerlunch.com
Online Payment: www.womenspowerlunch.com
724-452-5152

October 14 – Women Business Leaders Breakfast – 7:30 – 9:00 – James Laughlin Music Hall, Chatham University – Cost: $25 – Register Online: www.chatham.edu/cwe - Melissa Murphy, Senior VP, Corporate Affairs and Human Resources

October 15 - Small Business Basics
This highly interactive workshop is geared to aspiring and existing small business entrepreneurs. Get the basic information you need to put your new small business on the path to success - 8:00 am - Registration and continental breakfast - 8:30 am – 1:00 pm – Workshop - PNC YMCA - 236 Fifth Ave. 2nd Fl. (in downtown Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh - For more information or to register: http://pittsburgh.score.org/events

Bid for Hope X
Date: October 17, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Cost: $200/person
Location: Bossa Nova, 123 7th Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Hosted by: Heath & Katie Miller and Alan & Julie Faneca
Special Guest Auctioneer: Bob Pompeani
Make a difference in the fight against breast cancer while enjoying an auction, with items to please everyone.
Ticket includes: heavy Hors d’ouevres, Cocktails, a White Panel Football for autographs and gift cards in a custom gift bag, as well as Complimentary Valet Service.

Register online at www.symbolofthecure.com
or call 800-454-6746.
Proceeds benefit the largest under 40, premenopausal breast cancer study in the country being conducted at Magee-Womens Research Institute.

October 18 - Ladies Night Out - Shopping, Food and Prizes! All proceeds benefit the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God. Thank you for your support! - 7:00 PM - Sisters of St. Francis of The Providence of God
3603 McRoberts Road Pittsburgh - For more information or to register: www.osfprov.org
412-885-7232

October 20 - Power of Southpointpointe Women have invites us to attend their November event! Thank you to the Power Ladies! “Women and Mentorship” with Erroline Williams, Ed.D. Director of Leadership and Outreach, Center for Leadership Development, Duquesne University - 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM – visit http://powerofsouthpointe.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1009507&wstepNo=2&wctxId=f9d9228a0de24f46ab0fd410e8467b50&EventViewMode=3&eventId=266857 to register! This event is free for members and $25* for non-members and guests Price includes appetizers and open bar - Bella Sera 414 Morganza Road Canonsburg – 724-745-5575

October 20 - Disability Resource Breakfast - 8:30 – 9:30 AM - Topic: BE RED CROSS READY - Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania - 1650 Main Street Pittsburgh – FREE - RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

Think Big Forum
“Branding and the Customer Experience”

Friday, October 21, 2011
Time: 7:45 am to Noon
Venue: Athletic and Fitness Center, Chatham University, Shadyside Campus
Cost: $45.00 (including breakfast)

Register Online: http://www.chatham.edu/cwe/events/thinkbig/index.cfm

The Think Big Forum will feature keynote speaker MaxineClark, chair, founder, and chief executive “bear” of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. The forum will also include a panel discussion with regional women executives and entrepreneurs about creating strong brands that drive greater engagement through meaningful customer interactions and ways to develop personal brands for greater business success. Panelists include Susan Gregg Koger, chief creative officer and lead buyer for ModCloth; Donna Sturgess, president and founding partner of Buyology, Inc. and former global head of innovation for GlaxoSmithKline; and Laurie R. Mizrahi, President of Mizrahi, Inc. and interim vice president creative of GNC Corporation. Michele Anne Petruccelli, president of Petruccelli Strategic Marketing Consulting, will moderate the panel

Women’s Power Lunch—Pittsburgh Chapter
October 21, 2011
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Cioppino Restaurant
2350 Railroad St. Strip District, Downtown (Between 23 & 24th Sts)
Cost: $30.00 (Prepayment Required)
RSVP: Suzanne@womenspowerlunch.com
Online payment at www.womenspowerlunch.com
724-452-5152

Cake Boss Buddy Valastros is coming back to the ‘Burgh!
Date: October 23, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cost: $55-$65
Location: Soldiers & Sailors, Memorial Hall & Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Back in Pittsburgh by popular demand is Buddy Valastro, reality TV star and owner of Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, NJ. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a night of fun with Buddy in this live, two-hour interactive theater show!

Tickets range from $55-65. For tickets, visit www.youngwomensbreastcancerfoundation.com
Portions of the proceeds will benefit: Family House, Cancer Caring Center, and Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation

October 26, 27, 28, 29 - Elegance of Dior Workshop featuring National Dior Show Artist Joseph - Let Dior take you on tour where ” Beauty meets Fashion” - Space limited- Private Classes available, Call for Details-Macy’s South Hills Village- 412-854-6889 - Mention Women’s Yellow Pages for your bonus!

October 27 – Downtown Women’s Club - Andora Restaurant - 1928 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh - Please join us for lunch and network with local business women. Our speaker will be Beth Caldwell, business coach, consultant & author of “I Wish I’d Known That!, Secrets to Success in Business.”, “Inspired Entrepreneurs”, and “Get Paid What You’re Worth! A Guide for Professional Women (coming this fall). Beth was honored with the “Radical Woman of the Year Award” in March 2011 in Washington DC. Her passion is to empower and inspire women to achieve their full potential. Beth will be sharing research from her upcoming book including Three Things Women Can Learn From Men That Will Change How You Structure Your Fees Immediately!

Laughter Workshops …Laugh often…Live Well
Free and open to the public. Please Register

October 13 – 7 to 8 pm
Sewickley Public Library
500 Thorn Street, Sewickley
Register at 412-741-6920

October 22 - 10:30 to 11:30 am
Sunny Bridge Natural Foods
130 Gallery Drive, McMurray
Register at 724-942-5800

October 24 – 7 to 8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills
1240 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Register at 724-942-0486

See you there!
Questions? email julieann@julieannsullivan.com or call 724-942-0486

Women’s Power Lunch—Westmoreland County (NEW!!)
October 28, 2011
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Restaurant to be determined soon!
Cost: $30.00 (Prepayment Required)
RSVP: Melanieansell@comcast.net
Online Payment: www.womenspoweerlunch.com
412-848-0165

October 28 and 29 - PA Conference Against Torture -
Speakers John Humphries, King Downing, and Kate Porterfield

Go to: www.panetworkagainsttorture.org to register
The conference will be held at: Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, 20 South Second Street. This will be an opportunity for individuals and organizations in Pennsylvania to come together to coordinate ongoing anti-torture education, survivor care, and legal/legislative advocacy, with a focus on:
• U.S. Sponsored torture
• Torture in our domestic prisons, in particular prolonged isolation.
Training for professional and volunteer caregivers of trauma and torture survivors.

For more information about the conference, and to register on-line, please go to
www.panetworkagainsttorture.org.

Save the Date

November 2 - 
Pittsburgh Professional Women Clever Connections Networking Lunch
McCormick & Schmick’s South Side Works with Special Guest Speaker Heather Pollier – Topic: Insurance 101 - 1-3 pm
www.pittsburghprofessionalwomen.net

Internationally Acclaimed Eco-feminist
Dr. Vandana Shiva, This Year’s 2011 Thomas Merton Award Winner
Thursday, November 3 - Sheraton Station Square
from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT
$30.00 low income admission
$50.00 per person
$450.00 per table of ten

Sponsorships and Program Ad opportunities are available
The Thomas Merton Center is dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.

Last year more than 720 people attended the dinner.
Please reserve now to hold your seat / or table.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Interested in sponsorship or taking out a program ad?
For more information contact:
the Thomas Merton Center at
office@thomasmertoncenter.org
412-301-3022
www.thomasmertoncenter.org

 

November
3, 2011

Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council’s 24th Annual
 
Leaders for Literacy Luncheon
 Presented by UPS
 
 
 Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel
 Reception 11:30 a.m., Luncheon 12 p.m.
 
“Education:  Creating Opportunity from Adversity”

The child of drug-addicted parents who routinely ate from dumpsters and sought refuge at all-night subway stations to survive, Liz Murray was homeless at age 15–and fending for her life. Determined not to be defined by her circumstances, she recognized education as the key to a fresh beginning and a whole new way of living. She earned her high school diploma in just two years and won a scholarship to Harvard University that would turn her bleak circumstances into a future filled with limitless possibility. She is the subject of the Emmy-nominated Lifetime movie Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story.

For more information, please contact Maria Polinsky at
  (412) 393-7631 or mpolinsky@gplc.org.

The best way to advocate for your business is to
GINORMOUSLY market it for little or no cost.
*FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2011*
Please note the date change - We apologize for the inconvenience, there was a scheduling challenge with our national speaker resulting in the change.
Watch for special updates on lots of gifts for which you will be eligible just for registering and attending and discounts on various applications.
Radisson Pittsburgh Hotel
101 Radisson Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
All previously sold tickets with be honored and will receive special discount for our January meeting featuring the Six and a Half Million Dollar Woman, Becky Auer.
For more information on Sponsorships or Vendor tables
Please call 412.854.4827.

November 5 - Showtime is 4pm - Ingomar Middle School, 1521 Ingomar Heights Road. Tickets are $15 for adults ($18 at the door), $5 for children under 12. Join the chorus and Maxx Factor for dinner and more entertainment following the show. We are also celebrating GHC’s 35th anniversary. The buffet dinner is at Sieb’s Pub, 3382 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, 15237. The cost is $20.00 for adults, $12 for children 10 and under. Tickets for the show and dinner party are available by mail from http://www.greaterharmony.org or by calling 724-613-9800

November 12 – Howard Hanna Annual Children’s Hospital Fundraiser - join us for a tour of beautifully renovated homes in Mt. Lebanon followed by lunch at the Bower Hill Community Church donated by Luma Restaurant - please contact Susan O’Toole at 412.561.7400 by September 30th.

Magee Centennial Celebration
Date: November 10, 2011
Time: 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Cost: $100 per person
Location: Circuit Center, 5 Hot Metal Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203-2350

Cocktail reception featuring live entertainment.
Join us for the celebration of the century:
Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC’s Centennial Celebration

For the most up-to-date event information and to register, visit www.mwrif.org/365
We will be unveiling the Magee 100 Mosaic artwork and Centennial video at the celebration. To learn more about and to upload your photos to be included, visit www.mageemosaic.com. The final mosaic, designed by award-winning artist Mark Bender, will become a mainstay in the Magee-Womens Hospital lobby.

The Women and Girls Foundation
annual celebration
“Women Greening Pittsburgh”
Saturday, November 19th
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception and Dinner Buffet
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Keynote and Awards Ceremony
at the August Wilson Center
for African-American Culture
www.wgfpa.org