11.23.22 NPC

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

A trip from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., is noth ing new.

Then traveling from D.C. to Hampton University, in Hampton, Va., wouldn’t be considered earth-shatter ing, either.

But taking that trip down to Virginia from Pittsburgh with close friends and seeing a stat ue of your father...now that’s special.

That was precisely the experience for Clarence F. Curry Jr., the highly-edu cated engineer, professor and management consul tant.

This past July, Curry, along with members of the historic “FROGS” orga nization, chartered a bus to D.C. to experience the National Museum of Afri can American History and Culture, then proceeded to the famed HBCU, Hamp ton University, where he saw the statue of his own father, Clarence “Jap” Curry Sr. Pardon the pun, but the statue of Clarence Curry Sr. pretty much has “ce mented” the Curry family at Hampton University forever. But the marriage

between the Currys and Hampton University didn’t start with Clarence Curry Sr.

THE CURRY FAMILY and its descendants first had their involvement with Hampton University in the 1800s. John Manley graduated from Hamp ton in 1892. Manley was Clarence F. Curry Jr.’s great grandfather. Cur ry Jr.’s grandparents on his dad’s side, Irving and Rowena Manley Curry, graduated from Hampton around 1920. Curry Jr.’s dad, Clarence Curry Sr., graduated from Hampton in 1941. Curry Sr.’s wife, Sadie, graduated from Hampton in 1943. Clar ence Curry Jr.’s son, Clar ence Curry III, graduated from Hampton in 1991. Clarence Curry III met his wife at Hampton. Their daughter, Jocelyn Curry, now attends Hampton as a junior, in the pre-med program. Clarence Curry Jr.’s sister, Doris Curry Parks, graduated from Hampton in 1967. Ask a Curry who the real “H-U” is, and you know what college they’ll say.

Ironically, Clarence Cur

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Staff Writer

Bethel AME Church

Pastor Dale B. Snyder has nothing but love for Epiphany Roman Catholic Church, which has a ma jority-White congregation, on the corner of Centre Avenue and Washington Place in the Lower Hill District.

“But we wish we would have gotten the same exemption as Epiphany Church got,” the reverend proclaimed.

Epiphany Church, built in 1902, is still standing.

“Big Bethel,” as Bethel AME Church was known, was built in 1906 at Wylie Avenue and Elm Street, also in the Lower Hill. But, as Rev. Snyder said

during

Sure, other churches were torn down by the City of Pittsburgh and its Urban Redevelop Author ity as part of the city’s plan to redevelop the Low er Hill in the 1950s. But Bethel AME Church had a membership of over 3,000.

“We were doing every thing good for our com munity,” Rev. Snyder said. “We were the voice of the community, we had ev erything...boy scouts, girl scouts, lodges, fraternities, sororities, Negro League Baseball team, we opened up the first school to teach

THE DR. LARRY E. DAVIS BLACK EXCELLENCE IN THE ACAD EMY AWARDS were held, Nov. 3, at the National Aviary. The honorees were, from left, Esa Matius Davis, James P. Huguley, Ed.D., Valerie Kinloch, Ph.D., and Sandra A. Murray, Ph.D. See more photos on Page A11. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

CLARENCE CURRY JR., right, sits next to a statue of his late father, Clarence “Jap” Curry Sr., at Hampton University.

Courier

a Friday, Nov. 18 news conference, “they took our church by emi nent domain. They con demned it.”

This

by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A new exhibition de buting next spring at the Smithsonian’s Na tional Museum of Afri can American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will celebrate Chadwick Boseman’s Black Pan ther hero costume.

“Afrofuturism: A His tory of Black Futures,” opens on March 24, 2023, and features the late ac tor’s iconic gear.

Black Panther counts as the first superhero of African descent to appear in mainstream American comics, and the film is the first ma jor cinematic production on the character.

“Investigating Afro futurist expression through art, music, ac tivism and more, this exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant en gagement with African American history and popular culture,” Smith sonian officials wrote in a news release.

“From the enslaved looking to the cosmos for freedom to popular sci-fi stories inspiring Black astronauts, to the musi cal influence of Sun Ra, OutKast, P-Funk and more, this exhibition covers the broad and im pactful spectrum of Afro futurism.”

Through the 4,300-square-foot tem porary exhibition, visi tors will view a variety of objects from Afrofutur ism pioneers, including Octavia Butler’s type writer, Nichelle Nichols’ Star Trek uniform as the character Lt. Nyoto Uhura and Nona Hend ryx’s spacesuit-inspired costume worn while per forming with LaBelle.

The exhibition also uti lizes select objects to el evate stories that speak to Black liberation and social equality, such as Trayvon Martin’s flight suit from Experience

Aviation, and his child hood dream of being an astronaut.

“Trayvon Martin’s flight suit tells the sto ry of a dream of space flight ended tragically by earthbound violence,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Direc tor of the National Mu seum of African Ameri can History and Culture.

“We are honored to tell more of Trayvon’s story, exploring his love of flight and mechan ics and his fondness for science and technology.

Afrofuturism charts the joy of a rich, imagined future, often in the face

of injustice.”

Since its opening in 2016, NMAAHC has supported conversations, collections and initia tives surrounding Afro futurism.

“Afrofuturism: A Histo ry of Black Futures” will be on view in the mu seum’s Bank of Ameri ca Special Exhibitions Gallery from March 24, 2023, through March 2024.

For more details about the new exhibition and to sign up for additional updates, visit the muse um’s Afrofuturism web site.

• NOVEMBER 23

1897— Self-educated engineer Andrew J. Beard is awarded a patent (#594,059) for an auto matic railroad car coupling de vice—the Jenny Coupler. Prior to this device rail cars were joined manually and hundreds of work ers lost fingers, hands and arms. Beard eventually sold rights to his invention for $50,000. 1980— More than 1,000 Blacks from 25 states gathered in Philadelphia, Pa., and formed the National Black Independent Political Party . However, the lack of funding and Black voter allegiance to the Democratic Party doomed the effort.

•

NOVEMBER 24

1865— Mississippi enacts another set of “Black Codes” designed to control and virtually re-enslave the recently freed slaves. The racist laws made it illegal for Blacks to be called for jury duty, testify against a White person in court, own guns, attend White schools, or own farmland. Several other South ern states immediately attempt ed to imitate the Mississippi laws. Reconstruction slowed the implementation of the “Black Codes.” But when Reconstruc tion ended around 1877, the codes were re-instituted. 1868—Scott Joplin is born in Texarkana, Texas. Joplin be comes skilled at the piano and with composing music. As a re sult of these skills and his ener gy, he becomes one of the lead ing founders of a music genre known as “Ragtime,” which was one of the most popular types of music in America for at least 20 years. The most popular “Rag time” tune was Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” of 1897. Sadly, the tal ented Joplin died in a New York City asylum at the age of 49.

• NOVEMBER 25

1841— The 35 survivors of the Amistad Mutiny return to Afri ca. On July 2, 1839, slaves, led by Joseph Cinque, killed the captain of the Cuban slave ship Amistad, took control and or dered the crew to sail back to Africa. The ship, however, was seized by a U.S. ship. The gov ernment wanted to try the slaves for murder. None other than former President John Quincy Adams decided to represent the rebel Blacks. In a surprise decision for its time, a judge ruled that the slaves had been kidnapped and had a right to use violence to free themselves. On this day in 1841, the survivors were allowed to return to Africa. 1949—Luther “Bill” (Bojan gles) Robinson dies in New York City. The famed dancer was born on May 25, 1878 in Rich mond, Va. Initially, he gained fame on the nightclub circuit performing in musical comedies. Later, he became the toast of Broadway and then Hollywood appearing in 14 motion pictures. He is credited with taking an early style of Black dance called “buck dancing” and turning it into what we know today as tap dancing. Amazingly, the ener getic Robinson died of a chronic heart condition.

1955—The Interstate Com merce Commission bans segre gation on buses and in waiting rooms involved in interstate travel.

• NOVEMBER 26

1873—Macon B. Allen is elect ed a judge in Charleston, S.C. Allen holds the distinction of be ing America’s first Black lawyer having been admitted to the bar in Massachusetts on March 5, 1845. During Reconstruction he decided to aid the former slaves in the South by moving to South Carolina and running for judge. 1883—Sojourner Truth dies at

her home in Battle Creek, Mich. Truth was a major figure in the abolition movement fighting long and hard to bring an end to the dreaded institution. After slavery, she became a major voice for Black rights and wom en’s right to vote.

1895—The National Negro Medical Association is found ed . It is now called the National Medical Association and has a membership including 25,000 doctors and health care provid ers.

1938— Grammy Award-winning singer Tina Turner is born Annie Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tenn. She (along with her husband, Ike) reaches stardom among R&B music lovers. But after a divorce, she restyles herself and captures an even broader audience.

1970—Benjamin O. Davis Sr. the nation’s first Black general, dies at his home in Chicago.

1970—Charles Gordone re ceives the Pulitzer Prize for his play “No Place To Be Some body.”

•

NOVEMBER 27

1895— Novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas [Jr. or fils] dies in France. He was the son of the much more famous Alex andre Dumas [Sr.] who authored such works as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count De Monte Cristo.” However, “junior” was also an accomplished nov elist with his most famous work being “La Dame Aux Camelias.” When confronted with French racism, Dumas is frequently quoted as telling his detractors, “My father was a Creole, his father a Negro, and his father a monkey. My family, it seems, begins where yours left off.”

1942— Rock musician Jimi Hendrix is born in Seattle, Wash. Hendrix is considered one of the greatest guitarists to have ever played. Unfortunately, he died of a drug overdose while on tour in Europe.

• NOVEMBER 28

1753— Revolutionary War sol dier James Robinson is born in Maryland. Historically, like “40 acres and a mule,” Robinson epitomizes the White man’s false promises to the Black man. Robinson, a slave, was promised his freedom for fighting in Amer ica’s War of Independence from Britain. He fought so well that he won a medal for bravery at the Battle of Yorktown. However, after the war he was sold back into slavery. But he did live to see the end of slavery. He died in Detroit, Mich., in 1868.

1929—Berry Gordy is born in Detroit, Mich. He founded Mo town Records in 1957 and built it into the greatest Black-owned record company in U.S. histo ry. It was later sold to a major White-owned corporation and is now based in Los Angeles, Calif.

1960—Richard Wright , perhaps Black America’s greatest novel ist, dies in Paris, France. He was only 52. Wright’s best known works included “Native Son,” “Black Power” and “Black Boy.” Wright’s opposition to American racism led him to join the com munist party. He later quit. But he refused to return to America in 1952 as the country was go ing through an anti-communist witch hunt.

1961—Ernie Davis becomes the first Black man to win col lege football’s prestigious Heisman Trophy.

1997—Coleman Young , De troit’s first Black mayor, dies at 79. He presided over his adopt ed city for an unprecedented five terms.

BLACK

A

‘transformational gift’

Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh gets $6 million donation

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is the recipient of a $6 million gift from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott.

It’s being called a “trans formational gift” that will allow the Urban League to magnify the impact of its mission of enabling Afri can Americans to achieve economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The gift is the sin gle largest contribution in the Pittsburgh affiliate’s 104-year history.

“We’re honored and grateful that Ms. Scott and her team have recog nized the Urban League’s value and impact to the community,” President and CEO Carlos T. Car ter said in a statement,

Oct. 31. “By placing ra cial equity and social justice at the forefront of her philanthropic mis sion, Ms. Scott is shining a much-needed spotlight on the nation’s structural and institutional limita tions and helping to build a stronger, more resilient society for everyone.”

Carter continued, “The Board of Directors and I acknowledge this contri

bution as a vote of confi dence in the work of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh (“ULGP”) and an acknowledgement of the great work done by the ULGP staff who are engaged in executing the heavy lift of opening doors and creating pathways for underserved and margin alized people to achieve economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.

The timing is perfect. Thanks to the efforts of past and present staff, Board members, volun teers, and supporters lead ing up to this moment, we are poised to create mean ingful change. Yet, the barriers faced by those we serve remain as high as ever and developing a lev el playing field requires a robust and sustained

effort. Now more than ever the needs of the com munity require increased funds to construct bridges to economic self-reliance.”

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will determine the most im pactful use of the contri bution as part of its stra tegic planning process that is scheduled to begin in January 2023.

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is one of 25 Urban League affil iates around the nation who received similar do nations from Ms. Scott, who in 2019 signed The Giving Pledge, a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

August Wilson House’s upcoming programs...

This is a Grand Opening Year for Au gust Wilson House, the great playwright’s childhood home at 1727 Bedford Avenue in the Hill District.

Major events so far have been the annual Birthday Festival in April; the house com pletion, presided over by Denzel Washington and Constanza Rome ro Wilson in August; the co-production with Pittsburgh Play wrights Theatre of “Jitney”; and the com munity party unveil ing 210 Legacy Bricks installed around the house.

“We’re pleased to offer this range of programming and en gagement,” said De nise R. Turner, acting chief executive of Au gust Wilson House.

“You know Mr. Wilson himself wanted the house to be useful, to educate and engage the community and that’s what we’re do ing.”

Now AWH announces the following continu ing programs, free to the public:

WRITING WORK SHOPS: Creative Non-Fic tion, led by nationally known columnist Tony Norman.

Poetry Writing, led by nationally known poet Adriana Ramirez.

Both free, in-person workshops begin Tues day, Dec. 13, 6:00-8:30 pm, and meet monthly through May. To ap ply, email now work shops@augustwilson house.org to receive an application form.

AUGUST WILSON HOUSE TOURS:

Starting Saturday, Nov. 26, curator-led hour-long tours con tinue on most Sat urdays and Wednes days between 10 am and 3 pm, available by appointment only. The 2022 dates: Nov. 26, 30, Dec. 3, 7, 10, 17, 21, 28. (Dates in 2023 TBA.) Email ap pointment requests to housetours@august wilsonhouse.org.

AUGUST WILSON READING ROUND

TABLE:

Informal commu nity readings allow you to hear Mr. Wil son’s words come out of your own mouth. Readings are month ly at August Wilson House on Saturdays, 2 pm: Nov. 18 “Two Trains Running”; Dec. 17 “Seven Guitars”; Jan. 21 “King Hedley II”; Feb. 18 “Gem of the Ocean”; March 18 “Radio Golf.”

ACTORS TALK AU GUST: Since 2020, AWH has done Zoom inter views with dozens of actors and directors, national and regional, such as Ruben Santi ago-Hudson, Wali Ja mal, Montae Russell, Phylicia Rashad, Ken ny Leon, Mark South ers, Russell Hornsby, etc. New interviews usually appear the first and third Mon day of each month at 8:15 pm. Coming Nov. 20 is Pittsburgh favor ite Ben Cain, then in December and Janu ary are Brandon Dird en and Wendell Pierce. Old interviews are still viewable. Find schedule at https:// www.crowdcast.io/@ city-of-asylum.

CARLOS T. CARTER

For the Currys, Hampton University is

ry Jr., the 30-year mem ber of the FROGS, the former engineer at West inghouse Electric from 1965-70, the man who taught marketing and entrepreneurship at the University of Pittsburgh from 1975-1999, did not attend Hampton Univer sity. His high school, Phenix

High, was actually locat ed inside a building on the Hampton University campus.

“The good students, we were allowed to leave our building, and we were supposed to go straight to the cam pus library and come straight back,” Curry Jr. told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, Nov. 17. “But

of course, we were all over the campus...trying to talk to the girls.”

Curry Jr. wanted to go into engineering after high school, and Hamp ton did not have an engi neering program at the time of his graduation in 1961. Thus, with a little maneuvering, Curry Jr. “came north of the prom ised land,” in his words, and attended Lafayette

College, about 75 miles north of Philadelphia. After obtaining his degree in metallurgi cal engineering from Lafayette College, Cur ry Jr. was recruited by Westinghouse Electric, in Pittsburgh. Curry Jr. took the job, and Pitts burgh has been his home since 1965. Curry Jr. lat er earned an MBA from Pitt and a Master of Sci ence in Industrial Ad ministration from Car negie Mellon University.

In 1999, Curry started his own company and be came a consultant with the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, a position he still holds. Curry’s primary job with the SEA is to monitor the contracts SEA signs for minority business participation.

The FROGS ‘Hop on the Bus’

The extreme cold that the Pittsburgh area has been under for the past week is in stark contrast to the hot weather Pitts burgh had when the FROGS hopped on the charter bus, bound for Washington, D.C., and Hampton University. July 29 is when the fel las in their trademark green blazers left town, a trip that was to last

about three days. The National Muse um of African American History and Culture is a haven for tourists. It opened in September 2016, and reached the one million visitor mark just four months later.

Some of the people on the bus trip had never been to the museum, in cluding those on the bus who were not FROGS members.

After the D.C. portion of the trip, Curry Jr. and the FROGS headed to Virginia, specifically “The Train Station.” No, the FROGS weren’t get ting on a train—that’s the name of the Blackowned restaurant in Newport News, Va., a staple in the “Hampton Roads,” the area in Vir ginia where cities like Virginia Beach, Nor folk, Newport News and Hampton are located.

The restaurant is lo cated in Newport News. Hampton University is about 15 minutes away, the famed HBCU whose motto is, “The Standard of Excellence, an Edu cation for Life.” While on campus, Curry Jr. spotted the statue of his late father, dressed to impress on a bench with a football in his right hand, the name “Clarence ‘Jap’ Curry”

to his left. Everyone on the trip took photos of the statue, some taking photos with the statue, especially Curry Jr. Curry Sr. received a Bachelor of Science de gree from what was then known as Hamp ton Institute in 1941, and completed further educational studies at Virginia Polytechnic In stitute and The George Washington Universi ty. He worked with the U.S. Postal Service for 43 years, including sta tion manager. Clarence Curry Jr. loves to tell the story about how much his father loved music. In 1948, Curry Sr. formed his own band, Jap Curry’s Blazers, which traveled the coun try backing legendary artists like Sam Cooke, The Drifters, Marie Si mon and Big Joe Turn er. Curry Sr. also per formed on live television with Johnny Mathis and Jackie Wilson. In 1962, a musicians’ convention was held at the old Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. Curry Sr. and his wife were there. Curry Jr. is sure of this, because as he did re search for the Sports & Exhibition Authority some years ago, he found

THE FROGS TRIP, with other family and friends, to Hampton University this past summer.

HAMPTON FROM A1

CLARENCE CURRY JR. speaks to those who went on the trip...

a photo of four African Americans walking to wards the Civic Arena entrance for the conven tion. The two people on the right were his par ents, Curry Sr. and Sa die.

Clarence “Jap” Cur ry Sr. died three years ago at age 99. In 2021, Hampton University erected the statue for “Jap,” along with an other major Hampton contributor, Dr. May T. Christian.

Curry Sr. was a faithful supporter of the Hamp ton Chapter of the Na tional Hampton Alumni Association Inc., and the Pirates’ Booster Club. Curry Sr. and Sadie en dowed a scholarship for music majors, donated a collection of big band jazz arrangements, and for Curry Sr., was a fix

ture at Hampton football and basketball games.

On Jan. 23, 2011, Curry Sr. received the Presidential Citizen ship Award at the 118th Founder’s Day Celebra tion.

“I always thought that Dr. Christian and Mr. Curry were two of the most loyal, supportive, and dedicated graduates of this world-class in stitution. We commend the positive impact, good work and faithful efforts made by these two individuals,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President, in a state ment from 2021. “We honor both Dr. Mary T.

Christian and Mr. Clar ence F. ‘Jap’ Curry, for their service to the com munity and the world, as well as their support of their alma mater, Hampton University. For years, people’s lives were aided by their en deavors. For these rea sons and others, it is my pleasure to unveil these new statues.”

You never know, there could be more Currys who decide to attend Hampton University one day. It could be Hampton or another historically Black college. Curry Jr. told the Courier that he encouraged his children to attend HBCUs. They both graduated from All

derdice High School. His son, Clarence Curry III did attend Hampton. His daughter attended Spel man College, in Atlanta.

“They did well at All derdice, but there were very few minorities in the scholars program which they participat ed in,” Curry Jr. said. He added that he felt his children “needed the HBCU experience to round out their educa tion, to see more African Americans not only as student-peers, but also as faculty and adminis trators.”

A THREE-DAY TRIP TO D.C. AND VIRGINIA...

THE FROGS, with Clarence Curry Jr. on the far left...

For rate informa tion, call 412-4818302, ext. 128. We want to feature pos itive youth from our Pittsburgh church community. Please mail their bio and photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or email us: religion@newpittsburghcourier.com

Blacks how to read (in Pittsburgh)...”

These days, a signifi cantly smaller Bethel AME Church sits at the corner of Webster Ave nue and Morgan Street in the Middle Hill.

At that location, the “New Bethel,” was where Rev. Snyder spoke for his press con ference, demanding that the Pittsburgh Penguins give back a piece of land in the Lower Hill, called Parcel F, that the church said is rightfully theirs. The Penguins ulti

mately secured the rights to the land of which the old Civic/Mel lon Arena sat. There’s now an agreement to redevelop the land into the new headquarters for First National Bank (a 24-story structure currently being built), along with an indoor music venue. The arena, now called PPG Paints Arena, where the Pen guins play, sits across the street.

Parcel F includes the land where Beth el AME’s famed church once sat from 1906 to

1957. Reverend Snyder said the church wants to build affordable hous ing on the site, but Kev in Acklin, president of business operations for the Penguins, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the land in ques tion is under an existing road and/or slated to be open space.

“This is our lot,” Rev. Snyder said. “It’s not under a freeway, it’s not under a highway. We want our historical land back.”

It’s unclear if there will be a “mediation-style”

But what Rev. Sny der made clear at the news conference was that prior to the former church’s demolition, it was appraised at about $745,000. The URA, however, only gave the congregation $233,000 for the land, a difference of more than a half-mil lion dollars.

“We were purposely discriminated against. We were targeted,” Rev. Snyder said about Beth el being demolished. It built the new church in 1959.

People under the age of 65 would have no recol lection of “Big Bethel.” But there are plenty of

people over 65 who re member the church’s sky-high frame, a struc ture that Mother Na ture dare not mess with, a towering structure that could only be de molished by the city’s excavators.

Reverend Snyder dis cussed the historic church of yesteryear, noting its true signifi cance. “If Black people can build a structure like this, there was nothing that was impos sible for our people,” he said at the press confer ence.

He added: “We’re ask ing the Penguins to do what they said they were gonna do...correct an egregious wrong.”

meeting between the Penguins and Bethel AME Church, with pos sibly Mayor Ed Gainey as the referee.

“O

The Larry E. Davis Awards Celebration

ALIYA DURHAM, PAULA DAVIS, LORIE JOHNSON-OSHO, MONIQUE SMITH (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

DARLENE DUBUISSON, KAREN GILMER, NANCY GAUVIN

TWO OF LARRY DAVIS’ THREE SONS, AMANI DAVIS AND NAEEM DAVIS, RECIEVE THE PROC LAMATION FOR THEIR FATHER...

ESA MATIUS DAVIS

SANDRA A. MURRAY, PH.D.

Grow Pittsburgh Increases Fresh Food Access

6587 Hamilton Avenue #2W

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

412-362-4769

growpittsburgh.org

Grow Pittsburgh is a resource and guide for backyard, school, communi ty gardeners, and urban farmers across the Greater Pittsburgh region. They teach people how to grow food and the benefits that come from it.

“As we all saw during the pandem ic, our food economy and our food system can be unstable at times,” said Executive Director Denele Hughson. “We saw the long lines. We saw the empty shelves. Urban farming and growing your own garden is a useful way to be more sustainable and a way to ensure that you’re having food avail able for your own family. It is also a way to support your local community.”

Last year, Grow Pittsburgh grew 28,340 pounds of food on urban farms, creat ed 11,054 square feet of new garden area in Allegheny County, and distrib uted 1,421 Grab & Grow kits to stu dents.

“Working with our local community and seeing the passion people have for growing food always keeps me moti vated. Food is our great connector. Ev eryone needs to eat, and our mission is

very easy to relate to…food justice is social justice.”

Hughson adds that besides the obvi ous health benefits, growing your own food can also benefit your finances.

“That four dollar tomato you’re getting from the grocery store, you can get a whole plant, and you’re growing may be 20 pounds of tomatoes that sum mer. With your investment upfront, you get harvest for the entire season.”

This year, Grow Pittsburgh began a five-year strategic plan to improve ur ban agriculture.

“I wanted to do a five-year plan to make sure that we have enough time to really implement, test, and then, of course, correct as well…making sure that we’re securing food growing proj ects for years to come and making sure that we’re investing and opening doors for food growing projects throughout our region,” said Hughson. “We’ve been around since 2005. We have our roots. We want to nourish those roots.”

If you are looking for an opportunity to start growing your own food, The Gar den Resource Center, a tool lending library provided by Grow Pittsburgh, is open for people to apply. For more information, resources, and to learn more, visit growpittsburgh.org.

iShip & Pack Delivers Customer Care

5829 Forward Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-599-1046

ishipnpackpittsburgh.com

Aaron Gibson Jr. had no idea a visit to the Lone Star State would launch his next business endeav or. While in Texas, he came across a chain of stores that catered to shipping and other office needs.

“When I came back home, it was a thought in my head like we don’t have any of them. I had never seen one of them back home,” said Gib son.

Still, Gibson never considered opening a store until a peer of his passed on a location.

“My friend was also looking for a space, so I was thinking about it for him; he canceled…but I came and still looked at it, and when I walked in, I instantly thought of the stores that I had seen in Texas,” said Gibson. “I was like this could be a mailing service, and that’s pretty much how we got started.” Gibson opened iShip & Pack for all of Pittsburgh’s business and shipping needs. As a mailing ser vice provider, they make it easy for professionals or families to

transport documents and packag es in short amounts of time. They are not another large corporation trying to make the process diffi cult, but rather local to the area and always provide unmatched customer service. They offer an array of services including inter national shipping, printing, and notary services.

Through the pandemic, Gibson has been able to remain open thanks in large part to the local love he has received. It has meant a lot to the Squirrel Hill native. “The support in the community…I mean community as in our com munity, but also the community where we’re located. They pretty much rave about our store, our customer service, how nice we are, how great of a job we do packing their fragile items…I’m definitely proud of the support that we get.” So, if you are considering mail ing Mother’s Day gifts, graduation announcements, or even need a passport photo taken for your summer vacation, look no further than iShip & Pack.

Make the most of your money during inflation

(NewsUSA)—Financial inflation, whether you have experienced it before or this is your first time, can seem frightening, and the rapid rise in prices of gas, groceries and consumer goods in the past year threatens to throw off the best-planned budgets.

The inflation currently affecting the Unit ed States and elsewhere is caused by many factors, including government stimulus, in creased consumer demand, COVID-19 and supply chain issues.

Although you may feel that inflation is spi raling your personal finances out of control, keep in mind that this period will pass. You can weather the storm with some smart mon ey management strategies.

The first rule of surviving inflation is not to panic, says Joseph Kelly, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. In fact, the best strategy to combat inflation is to focus on financial basics. “Know what you’re spending your money on, have a long-term investment plan and consider ways to reduce your debt,” he explains.

Try these tips to make the most of your mon ey during tight times:

• Spend less. It seems obvious, but small savings add up. Some easy ways to get more money back in your budget include seeking less- expensive options for internet and phone service, as well as for homeowners and car in surance. Cut gym memberships, and look for free exercise classes online, at least for now. Look for deals on groceries, and choose store brands or generics. If you drive to work, ask for more opportunities to work from home, or consider public transportation or carpooling.

• Earn more. Depending on the nature of your job, the current environment of remote work makes it possible for many people to add a side business, such as freelance consulting in your area of expertise, or selling things on eBay, Craigslist, Etsy or other online venues. Other options include seasonal or part-time in-person work. Choose somewhere you like to shop, and you may get an employee discount, too.

• Curb debt. Don’t let inflation lure you into the trap of putting more on credit cards. Instead, try to reduce your debt by consolidat ing any current credit card debt on one card; this can reduce your overall interest rate while you make payments. Other debt-reduc tion strategies include paying the card with the highest interest rate first, or the account with the smallest balance first.

No matter what strategies you use to save money, remember that periods of inflation are temporary. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional can provide ad ditional guidance and help you stay on track with your short-term and long-term financial goals.

Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more informa tion.

Has Black Friday lost its luster? Depends on whom you ask

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—According to a survey con ducted in October, nearly 70 percent of consumers plan to skip Black Fri day and holiday shopping altogether this year.

While some believed retailers ma nipulated shoppers, a relatively large amount (18 percent) said they won’t shop because of large crowds.

Despite the relatively small sample size in the survey, a growing number of shoppers said Black Friday had lost its appeal.

“While Black Friday sales provide a great opportunity for brands to keep customers coming back for more, it also presents noteworthy risks for shoppers around buying too much,” said Michael Podolsky, CEO, and co-founder of PissedConsumer.com, which conducted the survey.

“Consumers are now savvier with their purchases and how much they spend. That is not just inflation caus ing the shift in consumer behavior,” Podolsky stated.

“The survey revealed that 85 per cent of shoppers now rely on online reviews when buying as they intend to avoid general unhappiness with shopping.”

Small business growth expert

“While there are still ‘doorbusters’ at some places that are worth par ticipating in, most places offer great deals online or are starting so early that it’s not worth the fight for Black Friday beyond tradition,” Scheller of fered.

“I think that the problem with this is that we’ll end up diluting the pow er of the concept, and while overall shopping numbers might be okay, the one-powerful-day for generating sales for the holiday season concept is likely to fade.”

According to Adobe Analytics, Black Friday 2021 raked in $14.04 billion in online sales, with $8.9 billion spent on Black Friday and $5.14 billion on Thanksgiving.

The spending represented a .63 per

cent decrease from 2020 when Black Friday sales raked in $14.13 billion in online sales.

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, 100 million con sumers shopped online, while in-per son Black Friday shopping fell 37 percent from 2019.

“Digitalization has encouraged the growth of online stores, due to which special deals and offers remain no more exclusive,” said Matt Gillman, founder of SMB Compass.

“People prefer online stores more than regular stores, which affects Black Fridays. And this is because of the perks online stores offer at the same costs. So, along with the low prices, we can focus on providing a better shopping environment.”

Despite declining sales and enthusi asm from many corners of the nation, some still enjoy the tradition of leav ing the dinner table early to stand in the long lines that often accompany Black Friday sales.

“I usually think of shopping as ther apy; therefore, I always look forward to Black Friday for the excellent pric es,” said Sean Harris, managing ed itor at Family Destinations Guide, which provides information and re views of resorts, hotels, and global

How to avoid debt while Christmas shopping this year

Can you believe it’s almost the month of December already? It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Retailers are open extended hours seeking to claim the money in your wallet. Every char itable organization known to man is soliciting you for money. Friends and family are dropping hints about cer tain gifts that they would enjoy this year. People in the office are asking you to chip in on a gift for the boss. Your church is passing around an extra of fering plate for a present for the pastor. You believe in your heart that “it’s better to give than to receive” but in the back of your mind you’re thinking, “give me a break.” “No can do,” says the mortgage, car note, student loan, credit cards, lights, gas, cable, house phone, cell phone, internet, insurance, and Uncle Sam. “We understand that you’re in a giving mood but don’t forget you have bills to pay!”

As a financial adviser I sit as the proverbial fly on the wall and listen to the conversations you’ve been having with yourself and your significant oth er. I heard you cry out in a moment of stress—“the paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough to feed, shelter, and clothe the family, provide basic utility and transportation for the family while at the same time give to charitable caus es and save for future needs, wants, and goals.” I know that you’re doing the best you can to make ends meet. You’d like to avoid using credit cards. You don’t want to rob Peter and Paul to play Santa. You’d like to set up a Christmas fund to save a small portion each month starting in January every

year so that when Christmas is here you have the money to shop for gifts. The reality is you’re having a tough enough time trying to meet the finan cial demands of today. You don’t have the space in your mind or the funds in your wallet to worry about Christmas in January. Here we go again. Christ mas has snuck up on us!

Christmas is upon us. You frantical ly wonder how you’re going to come up with the money to do your Christmas shopping. You’ve thought long and hard. You’ve con cluded that you’ll get the money you need for Christmas one of two ways: 1.You’ll skip various bills this month and pay them when you get your tax refund. 2. You’ll reluc tantly use a credit card with the in tention to pay it off within the next 6 months. Caught up in the emotion of the holidays, it may not have dawned on you that this is exactly what you did last year, the year before and the year before. That plan isn’t working.

Below are some ideas that will help you enjoy Christmas and avoid debt this holiday season:

• Set a spending limit and track your spending—If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Before you do any shopping, decide how much you’re go ing to spend for Christmas. Keep track of how much you’re spending so that you don’t go over your limit. Only use

cash or debit cards when shopping.

• Make a list and check it twice—If it’s good enough for Santa Claus, it’s good enough for you. Make a list of all the people you plan on buying gifts for this season. You now know how much you plan on spending and who you’re purchasing gifts for. Check your list not twice but three times. As you re view your list the third time, write a dollar amount on how much you’re going to spend on each person on the list.

• Keep your guard up—Don’t be tempted by your existing cred itors attempting to defer payments on your loans and the merchants at tempting to offer you discounts should you open and use a store credit card. They have one of two things in mind—get you to spend money you don’t have or force you to pay interest you can’t afford.

• Look for great deals—Make it a goal to get discounts on every gift you pur chase. This will help the money you’re spending on Christmas go further.

• Limit discretionary spending— Temporarily reduce or eliminate spending on entertainment, dining out, and other activities you do for pure joy and amusement. It’s better to give than receive, right? Sacrifice something you enjoy doing and use the money you normally spend to purchase gifts.

• Give the gift of time—Quality time with loved ones is perhaps the best gift you can give. It’s FREE and INVALU ABLE. In this fast-paced society we live in, we rarely get to spend quali ty time with loved ones where there’s no distraction. Make an earnest effort to spend time with someone you care about. The memories you’ll gain from the experience will be more valuable than any gift you can purchase.

• Give a helping hand—Offer to babysit, shovel snow, mow the lawn, or prepare a meal as a Christmas gift to someone you know who can use a break.

• Get a part-time job—If you’re still short on money, consider a part-time job or side hustle to fully or partially pay for your Christmas purchases this year. There are plenty of part-time jobs available during the holiday season. It’s better to work a couple extra hours now and pay cash for your Christmas gifts than to neglect bills or accumu late debt and work extra hard the en tire year trying to catch up on bills and pay off debt you’ve created during the holidays.

• Remove adults from the list—You did all the above and you’re still con templating whipping out the credit card. Time to trim the list. It’s been said that Christmas is for the kids. Your adult family and friends will un derstand when you say that you spent your entire Christmas budget on the kids this year.

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached @ 412-216-1013 or visit his website @ www.da

Stephanie Scheller of Grow Dis rupt said there’s little question that the days of getting excited about the day after Thanksgiving shopping sprees have ended.

Despite declining sales and en thusiasm from many corners of the nation, some still enjoy the tradition of leaving the dinner table early to stand in the long lines that often accompany Black Fri day sales.

Take back your finances, seriously this time

by Sherri Kolade

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Working well past the point of retirement. Graduating from college in debt with no plan of action to pay off the stu dent loans despite loom ing interest rates. Having to foreclose on your home due to a lack of funds.   Don’t let a worst-case financial scenario bring you to the brink of finan cial destruction.

Before it’s too late, be coming more financially astute starts with being aware of what condition one’s finances are in and taking control of those funds—saving, prioritiz ing, budgeting and re moving what’s not need ed.

From maintaining good credit to building a nest egg—saving savvy doesn’t have to be a chore and it can happen at any age.   Savings is a founda tional piece to financial health since research has found that unexpected expenses, like car repairs, can become a hardship when people don’t have access to emergency sav ings funds.      “When it comes to sav ing, the most important thing to do is simply to start. Whether it’s $1 a day or a few every month, it is important to have a plan. Talking to someone with experience can help others see things from a different perspective. One of my favorite con versations to have with customers is to know what they are saving for and helping them figure out how to get there,” said JPMorgan Chase’s Detroit Community Man ager, Gail Taylor.

Engaging in conversa tions about money is a good way to get feedback, advice and suggestions on your approach to sav ings. No matter your goal,

seeking advice can help you build skills, create a plan that can be adjust ed along the way and get help and support to achieve it. A great way to start a conversation is by reviewing your budget and savings goals with an expert.

USA Today reports that financial planning doesn’t happen by accident but through well thought-out and intentional steps to ward success.

Experts agree. It’s im portant to periodically re view one’s financial plan to determine if adjust ments are needed, partic ularly given the economic and personal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If your circumstances have changed, your fi nancial plan may need to change, too,” the article reported.

If a person needs a fi

nancial refresh to get there, consider seeking the help of a certified fi nancial planner profes sional who can help you set and achieve goals, like:

• Affording a comfort able retirement.

• Taking advantage of saving and investing op

portunities as you age, estimating your expenses in retirement, and pre paring to have enough money to cover those costs for your lifetime.

• Buying a home.    For more information visit LetsMakeAPlan.org to find a CFP profession al.

This includes being abundantly clear on fixed expenses and knowing how to spend a certain amount of money each month as opposed to blowing it on fun funds beyond the budget.

Some fixed expenses in clude:

• Rent/mortgage

• Utilities

• Debt/loan payments

• Subscriptions

• Insurance

• Healthcare costs, such as co-pays and prescrip tions

Also, knowing which ex penses can be removed goes a long way, too, and

weighing flexible spend ing options is just as im portant.

The article defines flex ible spending as some thing that people have more control over with fluctuating costs like food, transportation and shop ping. The article added that one needs to exercise self-control in these flexi ble spending areas, which will help people learn how to cut or reduce their spending completely.

Ascent, a free learning platform for women en trepreneurs, echoed sim ilar thoughts, especially for business owners.

When it comes to pro jecting one’s best- and worst-case financial sce narios, map out financial forecasts to scope out the impact of changes in strategies and tactics in pursuit of your business goals.

It is recommended that people wanting to spruce up their budget do so by identifying multiple sce narios in order to:

• Plan for expected fi nancial returns or losses.

• Stay proactive in busi ness decisions.

• Mitigate risk by plan ning for worst-case sce narios.

“Most often, business owners will plan for a few different scenarios: base [or regular] case, best case and worst case,” Ascent noted. “Your basecase scenario is the av erage financial outcome that is most likely to hap pen if you make no real changes. Your best-case scenario is the best pos sible financial outcome if everything goes accord ing to plan. Your worstcase scenario is the most unfavorable possible fi nancial outcome for your business.”

Keep quality employees with quality benefits

(NewsUSA)—Small

business owners know that one of the secrets to success is hiring quali ty employees and keep ing them. One of the best ways to keep your best employees happy is by offering a robust benefits plan. In fact, 11 states now mandate that most small busi nesses offer employees a retirement plan, accord ing to Value Point Asso ciates (VPA), a national Employer Member Asso ciation that specializes in offering “large-com pany” benefits to small and medium-sized busi nesses.

VPA leverages the size of its membership to ne gotiate affordable rates on top-notch employee benefits plans. These plans can be tailored to the needs of a range of small business models.      “VPA’s association model is likely the eas iest employee benefits arrangement in the country for small busi nesses,” says Michael Schifferle, director of sales and marketing for VPA.

Some of the distinctive benefits of a VPA mem bership plan include:      – Less stress. VPA handles the benefit package administration and design, and small businesses can choose from several programs to select the best fit.      – More money. Many small employers feel they can’t offer a 401k plan to employees be cause of the high cost. With VPA’s incredibly reasonable rates, small businesses can offer the retirement savings plans that employees want, which helps them compete with larger businesses for top tal ent.      – Less paperwork. VPA also assists its members with admin

istrative tasks and ser vices, including benefit package administration, coordination with pay roll services, audits, and Form 5500 preparation and filing.      – More security. Small business owners appreciate that VPA membership reduces personal ERISA fiducia ry liability. By contrast, a larger employer offer ing a 401k plan serves as the plan’s sponsor itself, which increases liability.

In addition to retire ment plans, VPA offers affordable options for employee health insur ance. Employers can explore both tradition al group insurance and non-traditional coverage that provide the most flexibility and savings of time and money. VPA helps small businesses stay competitive on the

health insurance front by offering employ ees ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Re imbursement Arrange ment), QSEHRA (Qual ified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement), and other HRAs, as well as Health Savings Ac counts and Flexible Spending Accounts.      Visit valuepointasso ciates.com for more in formation.

Has Black Friday lost its luster?

electronics discounts online.

destinations.

“Black Friday not only allows me to fill my closet with the newest styles at discount pric es, but it also makes it possible for me to find some excellent offers on electronics and books,” Harris exclaimed.

“I primarily rely on gadgets to simplify my life as a tech-savvy in dividual. Therefore, I require everything, from an air purifier to a coffee foaming machine.

“As a result, Black Fri day will never lose its appeal to me because I can obtain incredible

“The same is true for books, which are a sta ple of mine and are available in bulk in spe cially curated best-sell er collections every Black Friday Sale.”

Emily Saunders, Chief Revenue Officer for eLuxury, noted that Black Friday always loses its luster during an economic downturn, but she said she’s skep tical about whether those declines are per manent.

“Brick-and-mortar re tail is fading, but Black Friday still has a strong heartbeat when eco

nomic times are good,” Saunders asserted.

“It recovered with a vengeance once the Great Recession was over, and online shop ping had become an es tablished alternative.

“I equate it to network television. Everything aired on major networks is being watched by far fewer people compared to the pre-streaming days, but you’d nev er know that on Super Bowl Sunday. It still elicits around 100 mil lion viewers each year.”

(Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent)

Forbes noted in an arti cle about How To Create Your Worst-Case Sce nario Budget, that the pandemic taught people about planning in case of an emergency and bud geting for themselves and their families.

When it comes to projecting one’s best- and worst-case financial scenarios, map out financial forecasts to scope out the impact of changes in strategies and tactics in pursuit of your business goals.

BLACK FRIDAY FROM B1

Blacks, Jews and anti-semitism

Recently, anti-Semitism has again reared its ugly head. It started, or re-surfaced, when Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, made some controversial statements about Jewish people that have caused him to lose boatloads of money. Basically, Ye has accused Jews of dominating the enter tainment industry and allowing the production of music that has had a deleterious impact on the Black community.

Apparently, Ye miscalculated, at one point saying that Adidas couldn’t do anything to him. He was apparently very surprised when they severed ties with him, catapult ing him out of the realm of billionaire-land. Other com panies followed suit. Eventually, Ye ended up apologizing.

On the heels of Ye’s debacle, another Black man has come under fire as a result of spreading information about Jewish people.

Apparently, Kyrie Irving, a basketball player and member of the New York Nets team, shared controversial anti-Se mitic information in a book and film. The book in ques tion, The Thirteenth Tribe written by a Jew, Arthur Koestler, says the Jews who call themselves Jewish adopted the religion at some point in the past and were therefore not the original Jews. A film with anti-Semitic content was also promoted by Kyrie, who has since been suspended from his team.

All of this plays right into the anti-Semitic musings of a lot of people. Interestingly, the Jews have been maligned and persecuted for many years. Everyone knows about the pogrom against the Jews that fueled World War II. (A pogrom is an organized, often officially encouraged mas sacre or persecution of a minority group, especially one conducted against Jews). A similar situation occurred in Russia.

In spite of persecution, or maybe because of it, the Jew ish people have achieved success far out of proportion to their numbers. They have dominated in many areas and can boast about accomplished pioneers who have helped shape society. Moreover, they seem to have a penchant for economic dominance that may be a source of hatred and envy. During World War II, the Jews’ domination of the Ger man economy allegedly caused the pogrom against them.

The relationship between Blacks and Jews is complex, but more importantly, ironic since both groups have been subjected to prolonged persecution.

Complicating issues even further is the fact that many Black people consider themselves to be the original Jews. In fact, there is a whole community of American Blacks who have settled in Dimona Israel, asserting they have that right because they are legitimate Jews. People point to the fact that there were 12 tribes of Israel, but to date there are only two that people can identify, the Ashkenazi Jews and the Sephardic Jews. What this means is that there are 10 tribes of Judah that are lost.

What is certain about Jewish people is that they have had some incredible accomplishments, as pointed out ear lier. Black people, who have also been persecuted, have not yet had the same successes that Jews have had. This can be seen in different responses to oppression.

The Jewish people seem to have been able to unify to such an extent that any attacks on the community serve as catalysts for them to collectively fight their enemies.

Black people, on the other hand, seem to have taken the opposite approach. There is a lot of self-loathing in the community, as demonstrated by the incidents of Blackon-Black crime. Black people have not been able to pull together effectively in order to overcome the curse of slav ery and oppression.

It is important to note that Blacks and Jews have been staunch allies in the past. Particularly, Jewish people have served as fighters for Black liberation. And though there are pundits in the Black community who believe that Blacks and Jews are enemies because Jewish people par ticipated in the slave trade, it can be pointed out that there were Black people who also owned slaves.

Ultimately, it can be seen to be extremely counter-pro ductive for Black people to jump on the White supremacist bandwagon of anti-Semitism.

Instead, the Black community should take a page from the Jewish playbook and unify against enemies of the community. It is only natural for this to happen, which is why it is counterintuitive for Black people to attack Jews for their reaction to anti-Semitism.

Ultimately, the Black-Jewish schism seems orchestrated by other unseen forces in a divide-and-conquer strategy. Who would benefit from this schism? This is a question that Black people, in particular, need to answer. A Luta Continua.

(Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)

Allison Palm Office Manager

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Ashley Johnson Sales Director Rob Taylor Jr. Managing Editor

John. H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

The choice is yours

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Our voting responsibilities ARE NOT finished!  Our obligation to the ancestors requires us to engage in one more election this season.  We must vote— with either our ballots or our contribu tions.  I most certainly won’t tell you who to vote for.  I won’t even directly recommend a candidate to you.  The only thing I WILL ASK is that you vote.  I have given reasons for voting more times than I can remember, but I will add one more time that too many people, figuratively and literally, gave their lives for us to attain that right.

I WILL ALSO present the facts about the candidates as I know and believe them to be.  Any voting deci sion you make will be determined by your critical assessment of the infor mation I present and the synthesis of that information with other informa tion you may have received from other media sources.

Some will ask, “Why are you bring ing up voting now after the elections are over?”  My response is, “We have one more election to go before we are finished.  Although the Senate major ity has been determined, the outcome of this election will exemplify the type and quality of leadership we expect and demand for the next six years.”  Of course, I am referring to the Georgia run-off election between incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock and Her schel Walker.

In a time when politics was more civil and the candidates we elected ‘generally’ put national interests

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

ahead of local interests and political parties, there was less of an impera tive to assert that we all have a vested interest in out-of-state political races.

With the current acrimony between Republicans and Democrats, the warfare-style, mortal enemy attitude between the parties, and the “always say Never!” position to opposing viewpoints, we must intelligently and actively consider the outcome of every election so as to protect the positions that are near and dear to us.  That’s a clear reason that we see an increase in the nation-wide solicitation of cam paign contributions.

It has been suggested that most voters choose candidates who most closely match their character, philoso phy, interests, and aspirations.  Logic informs us that anyone running for public office would want to present the most complimentary image of her/him self as possible.  For some, this means telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Others must embellish the truth to present them selves as more qualified or worthy.  The rest must LIE to cover a myriad of indiscretions, lapses in judgment, hypocrisies, moral failures, unsavory associates, or criminal intent.

Can we run the risk of electing a known liar or of lies being told when circumstances might impact our safety and security?  The candidate who willingly lies to you once is telling you that he/she will lie again, and we know to believe a person who tells us who they are the first time.  If you are willing to accept factual reversals, suspicious ‘spinning,’ blatant lies, and misrepresentations of facts in the face of opposing credible evidence, then this election offers you your candidate of choice.  Those are the characteriza tions that have been verified by a fam ily member of one of the candidates.

Temperamental instability and demonstration of violence are traits of character that are unsuitable for a candidate and/or a sitting senator.  Documented facts show this type of behavior to be true of one of the candidates.

A candidate who would accept special consideration for him/herself while holding constituents to a rigid and dogmatic standard of conduct is unsuitable for election.  Again, one candidate in Georgia offers you that choice.

Citizens are not well-represented by those who have shown themselves to be hypocrites or liars.  Your choice is to decide who and what you believe by your vote.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of The Dick Gregory Society (thedickgregorysociety. org; drefayewilliams@gmail.com) and Pres ident Emeritus of the National Congress of Black Women)

Black excellence needs examples

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—During the rise of Michael Jordan’s popularity in the summer of 1991, Gatorade ran an advertisement featuring the then 29-year-old future Hall of Famer. The advertisement aired immediately after he won his first of six total NBA championships. The purpose of the ad was to focus on young adults who are dreaming big and want to become this great athlete while becoming a great person. They wanted to show that Michael Jordan is the dream that every kid wants to be. With this goal in mind, Gatorade created the “Be Like Mike” campaign. It shows that any person of excellence is a positive influencer who lifts others by showing their commitment to a deep work ethic, inner integrity, and pas sion. We don’t have to be Michael Jor dan in order to believe in ourselves, set realistic high goals, keep learning and growing in our skills, to chal lenge ourselves outside of our comfort zone while always seeking to be around the best people. We just need to relate with him in such a manner where his example of excellence can be accepted and duplicated.

While the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros are competing in the 2022 World Series, it becomes the first time since 1950 that there will not be a single American-born Black player on either team’s 26-person roster. “I don’t think that’s something that baseball should really be proud of. It looks bad,” Astros manager Dusty Baker told the Associated Press. “It lets people know that it didn’t take a year or even a decade to get to this point.” Compare 2022 with 1979 when Willie Stargell and Dave Parker were among 10 Black players on the “We Are Family” Pitts burgh Pirates championship team. Long considered America’s National Pastime, baseball was helpful in leading the way to integration in 1947 with Jackie Robinson becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball (MLB). This occurred years before the Brown v Board of Education decision which ended legalized racial segregation in public schools.

Robinson not only transformed baseball with diversity, but his excellence on the field introduced the Brooklyn Dodgers to a prototype player who blended speed with pow er. His example paved the way for future players with similar attributes

David W. Marshall

Commentary

to be acquired by all MLB teams. Today, baseball is not the game of choice for most inner-city youth. The choice easily basketball or football. Baseball is mainly a White suburban sport which is supplemented on the professional level by foreign labor. We can not dismiss how important it is for youth of any race to have someone in the home who has a love for base ball and for that love to be passed down. Regarding African American families, when there are few players who they can relate to on television as examples, then the disparity in the number of African American, White, and Latin players will be difficult to close.

This disparity was decades in the making. On December 18, 2019, shortly after signing his nine-year, $324 million dollar contract to pitch for the New York Yankees, Gerrit Cole stood at a podium at Yankee Stadium and thanked Curt Flood. Just as Jackie Robinson was a Black player who forever changed the sport of baseball, the same was true with Curt Flood. There was a period of time when most players had jobs during the off-season to make ends meet. When Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan broke into the major leagues in 1966, he spent the winter months working at a gas station. Every MLB player had in his con tract what was known as ‘the reserve clause,” which bound players to their teams. Contracts, which were limited to one season, “reserved” the team’s right to retain the player for the next season. The players, even superstars, had no leverage to negotiate better deals.

After the 1969 season, the St. Louis Cardinals decided to trade Curt Flood to the Philadelphia Phillies, but he refused to move to what he called “the nation’s northernmost Southern city.” Flood wrote to MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn explain ing why he refused to accept being traded. “I do not feel that I am a piece

of property to be bought and sold ir respective of my wishes,” Flood wrote. “It is my desire to play baseball in 1970 and I am capable of playing. I have received a contract offer from the Philadelphia club, but I believe I have the right to consider offers from other clubs before making any deci sions. I, therefore, request that you make known to all the major league clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my availability for the 1970 season.”

Kuhn denied the request. Knowing he would be blacklisted as a player and as a future coach or manager, Flood still made the decision to sue Kuhn and MLB arguing that the league’s control over players’ em ployment violated federal antitrust law and workers’ rights. Over the next few years, the Supreme Court ruled against Flood in a 5-3 vote. In 1975, a loophole was found in the reserve-clause language that didn’t require going to court. As a result, an arbitrator ruled in favor of the players which meant the end of the reserve system and the beginning of what we now know as free agency. Thanks to Curt Flood’s bold courage and sacrifice, players’ wages, benefits, pensions and working conditions dramatically improved.

When baseball free agency in creased players’ salaries, one response by MLB teams was to in crease their efforts in other countries such as the Dominican Republic, Ven ezuela and Cuba when seeking the Jackie Robinson-type players with who possess the same combination of speed and power The Latin American pipeline provides MLB with a lucra tive investment opportunity because they have historically been able to sign players who are desperate and see baseball as their only means of escaping poverty. In other words, it’s a source of cheap labor. While MLB Diversity Development programs such as the PLAY BALL Initiative and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program are designed to steer children from underserved and diverse communities in the U.S. toward baseball, the love of basket ball and football will always be tough to overcome.

(David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Recon ciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America. He can be reached at www.davidwmarshallauthor.com.

Now that the election is over

Now that the election is over, this is a good time for reality checks.  First, we must take a close look at the messages sent by all voters on election day. On the Conservative Right, we find people running for and getting elected to offices at all levels who clearly stated that they are “election deniers” in terms of the election of President Joe Biden. Those same people have said they will not accept current election results unless they win the offices for which they are running. Such people are behind the voter sup pression laws instituted around the country. Those who agree with them but not running for office have made their positions known by the re-election of such people as Governor Greg Abbot in Texas,

John E. Warren

Commentary

is now

though they have made progress in this election, in some cases beyond what was expected.

“We The People” have demonstrat ed our faith in the democratic pro cess by our record breaking turnout at the polls, with more votes to yet be counted. Now, “We The People” must actively get engaged at all levels of government because those against whom we struggled in this election will not stop because this election is over. The key is not to lose sight of our local issues while fighting to protect our national in terests. The issues of homelessness, inflation, unemployment, gas and healthcare must remain priorities with all of us. The bottom line, we must stay engaged. This battle is ongoing.

Governor DeSantis in Florida, Sen ator Marco Rubio in Florida over Congresswoman Val Demings, and a number of other such elections around the country.

The Conservative Right

the Republican Party. The Dem ocratic Party, expressing concern for democracy and the rule of law, regardless of who wins, is in danger of losing our precious rights, even

Why the pundits and junk polls got the Midterm elections wrong

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“I am angry at the chorus of armchair pundits who cre ated a dominant media narrative around the red wave with little evidence of it. I’m furious about that because for those of us who do the work on the ground to persuade [people] to vote, it was actually a challeng ing narrative environment when voters and all of us are being told, “This is going to be a red wave or a red tsunami,” as if, for instance, women voters had amnesia from the summer around the overturning of Roe v. Wade and were just focused on the econo my and inflation. Not true, it turns out. Or Black voters, yet again, basically the con science of America, turning out and show ing up and really voting our values around racial justice and freedom and resilience.”

– Dorian Warren, co-president, Communi ty Change and Community Change Action A little over two weeks before Election Day, New York Times columnist David Brooks helpfully explained Why Republi cans Are Surging. The only problem: they weren’t. And they didn’t.

Brooks wasn’t alone. Fox News hosts Jes se Watters and Jeanine Pirro bet Geraldo Rivera $1,000 the GOP would win the Sen ate and the House. CNN’s Chris Cillizza of fered up the following headlines: Why the midterms are going to be great for Donald Trump, Why Republican attacks on crime have been so devastating for Democrats, and The bottom is dropping out of the 2022 election for Democrats.

They weren’t, they haven’t, and it didn’t. While a few House races remain too close to call, President Biden’s party has lost at least six seats, giving control of the cham ber to Republicans.  “However, Democrats flipped one Senate seat and pending the outcome of Georgia’s runoff, may increase

Marc H. Morial

Roe v. red wave

When the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, abortion wasn’t banned nationwide. The reversal lets each state decide the legality of the procedure without federal intrusion.

Pro-choice advocates complained that the Supreme Court’s decision banned federal protection for women from male-dominated state legislators that would outlaw abor tion, with no exceptions.

The religious-right, which fought for fifty-years to strike down Roe, embraced the Supreme Court’s decision as the dawn of a new pro-life era in America. On the other hand, the non-religious-right viewed Roe’s reversal as a constitutional victory that reinforced federalism but understood it wasn’t a pro-life mandate to criminalize abortion.

The non-religious-right cautioned red states to avoid extreme anti-abortion legis lation because it would jeopardize the “red wave” expected during the 2022 midterm election.

Midterm elections are referendums on the president’s party.

If voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, then the president’s party normally loses dozens of congressio nal seats and control of Congress. In 2010, Obama was in charge of an economy that was struggling and had a high unemploy ment rate. That led to a “red wave” in which Republicans won more than sixty seats. In 2018, Trump’s administration had low approval ratings because of pointless fights with a Republican-controlled Congress. As a result, Democrats won 40 congressional elections in a “blue wave.”

Since the Biden Administration oversaw a post-pandemic economy that was hurt by the highest inflation rates in 40 years, the religious-right and state legislators in red states trusted history, thought a “red wave”

J. Pharoah Doss Check It Out

was inevitable, and wrote anti-abortion laws without the slightest worry about a Democratic response.

It didn’t take long before the media revealed an ugly consequence of a state’s swift anti-abortion law.

The Washington Post recapped, “When the Indianapolis Star published about a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio who was forced to travel to Indiana for an abortion because of new restrictions in her home state, it sparked a national frenzy. An indignant President Biden cited the story a week later as an example of extreme abortion laws, and his political opponents pounced. They suggested it was a lie or a hoax. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board concluded it was ‘too good to confirm,’ and The Post’s Fact Checker cautioned it was ‘a very difficult story to check.’ Ohio’s attorney general went further, calling it a ‘fabrication.’ Meanwhile, local journalists went digging … Reporters in Ohio and In diana proved that the horrific story no one wanted to believe was indeed true.”

The non-religious-right knew abortion was a political liability, and cases such as the 10-year-old rape victim made the Republican Party look retrograde and authoritarian.

But the religious-right doubted that the American people would vote against their own economic interests and expected midterm history to repeat itself. The overcon

fidence of the religious-right made them blind to the details that separated this midterm from previous midterm elections.

Since former President Trump’s Supreme Court appointments were responsible for reversing Roe, Trump endorsed many Re publican candidates, and Trump still seeks the presidency in 2024, the 2022 midterm turned from a referendum on the sitting president; to a rejection of the former pres ident’s party.

More importantly, the religious-right wrapped up economic issues with rent and gas prices but failed to realize abortion was an economic issue too.

Stacy Abrams, Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor, suggested that the abortion debate shouldn’t be reduced to the culture war. It was a question of wheth er some women will end up in poverty if forced to carry unwanted pregnancies. The religious-right ridiculed her for reducing a matter of morality to an economic outcome. All the ridicule didn’t change the fact that Abrams was right.

On the day of the election, exit polls showed that for half of voters under 50, abortion was more important than the economy in battleground states.

The Republicans reclaimed control of the House by a razor-thin margin, but the “red wave” that was supposed to derail the pres ident’s party never materialized. Matt Birk, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Minnesota, who lost on election day, spoke for the entire religious-right when he said, “If we lost because of abor tion, an issue that was not on the ballot, if we lost because I believe every life has dignity, I’m OK with that.”

But the non-religious-right wasn’t OK with that and knew the “red wave” was aborted the moment a 10-year-old rape victim had to cross state lines.

To Be Equal Ben Jealous

their majority.”  It was hardly the 20- to 30seat Republican gain in the House many forecasters predicted, and decidedly not “great” for Trump-endorsed candidates in competitive races, about 70 percent of whom lost with six races yet to be called and two headed to runoffs.

It was also the first midterm election since at least 1934 that the President’s par ty hasn’t lost a state-legislative chamber; in fact, Democrats took complete control of three new state governments—Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont—and flipped the Maryland and Massachusetts governor ships and the Pennsylvania state House.

Predicting a loss for the President’s par ty in a midterm election usually is a safe bet. The President’s party has lost seats in Congress in every election except two since World War II. The only exceptions have been 1998, when the President’s par ty gained five seats in the House and lost no seats in the Senate, and 2002, when the President’s party gained eight seats in the House and two seats in the Senate.  Postwar, control of the House has flipped eight times and control of the Senate 10 times. How did some of the most prominent voices in the media get it so wrong? One mistake is relying on outlier polls and unreliable polls, as David Brooks did. On October 20, the day his “Republicans are Surging” column appeared, an average of “generic ballot” polls showed Republicans with an advantage of just one tenth of one percentage point, and Democrats ahead in the four key Senate races.  Brooks based his analysis on a single poll that found a four-point Republican advantage.

Closer to Election Day, however, even these polling averages shifted in favor of Republicans, thanks to what political strategist Simon Rosenberg called “a fero cious campaign GOP campaign right now to flood the zone with their polls, game the averages, declare the election is tipping to them.”  Political data specialist Tom Boni er noted that many of these polls assumed “an older, whiter, more male electorate.”

Rosenberg told MSNBC’s Joy Reid, “This is an unprecedented massive campaign by the Republicans to game the polling average. And it’s disappointing to me this wasn’t caught earlier by many of the peo ple that do this that are on TV and do this for a living.”

A bigger problem was this polling mirage served to confirm some pundits’ pre-exist ing biases, underestimating motivating factors like reproductive rights and the threat to democracy, that were not import ant to them personally, and overestimating the role of inflation and the false narrative of rising violent crime.

The American electorate is changing, growing more racially and ethnically di verse. Our pundit class—those whose opin ion columns are published by major news organizations and who are given network and cable tv platforms to wax political— does not reflect this diversity. Until it does, it will continue to suffer from the blind spots that not only skewed predictions about the election, but potentially sabo taged it.

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—A lot of good news came out of this month’s elections— and enough bad news to remind us that we can never let our guard down when freedom and democracy are at stake. This year, democracy itself was on the ballot, and voters made an important down payment on its future.

In 2020, Americans voted not to give President Donald Trump a second term. He wasn’t willing to accept his loss, and tried to overturn the election. The anger he fostered with lies about election fraud let to a violent attempt to stop Congress from affirming Joe Biden’s victory.

What did that have to do with this year’s elections? Trump tried to get his people in power as governors and secretaries of state so they could pull off in 2024 what they were not able to do in 2020.

Voters weren’t having it. The “Red Wave” that Trump was counting on was blocked. Most of the secretary of state candidates running on Trump’s election lies were defeated, which means that important guardrails against future assaults on our democracy remain in place.

To further resist the threat of authoritar ianism, we must lift up young leaders who will be democracy’s champions for this and future generations. People For the Ameri can Way’s Young Elected Officials Network is celebrating the election of young leaders as new members of Congress from across the country: Greg Casar from Austin, Texas; Emilia Sykes from Akron, Ohio; Maxwell Frost from Orlando, Fla.; Summer Lee from Braddock, Pa.; Robert Garcia from Long Beach, Calif.; Sydney Kamlager from Los Angeles, Calif; and Jasmine Crockett from Dallas, Texas. Dozens more were elected

Commentary

to local and state offices, building a crucial leadership pipeline.

One bright spot was Pennsylvania, where voters elected state attorney general Josh Shapiro as governor, rejecting a far-right promoter of Trump’s election lies, and voted to send Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to the U.S. Senate rather than Trump’s hand-picked celebrity con man. What has gotten less attention is the exciting news about who will replace Fetterman as lieutenant gover nor: state Rep. Austin Davis, an impressive young Black man who has devoted his life to community and public service since he was a teenager.

There were other bright spots. Democrats will hold a majority in the Senate, so Re publicans will not be able to stop President Biden from building on his excellent record of naming brilliant federal judges who are committed to justice for all. Voters in Los Angeles elected Karen Bass as mayor and dumped Sheriff Alex Villanueva, notorious for overseeing an abusive department. Voters in several states protected access to abortion. Far-right attempts to build a national “Red Wave” with racist fearmon gering about crime and bigoted smears of transgender people didn’t work, though they did enough damage to keep some good people out of office.

Voters make an important down payment on democracy’s future Crazy Town

There is a borderless community that is growing by leaps and bounds. Across the United States millions of people are surging into political sub-divisions in lo cales called Q-Anon, Oath Keepers, Storm Front, American Renaissance, National Socialist Order and many, many others. These communities are largely segregated and occupied by a self-identified elite. The streets of these communities were paved with White supremacy centuries ago.

Builders include national political leaders, aggrieved citizens, wealthy (beyond rich) folks and Hershel Walker (who was invited as a garden ornament).

Crazy Town is appropriately named. There are many residents who have little understanding of the depths to which their neighbors will descend to Make America Great Again. By rewriting and retelling knowable history through distorted lenses, the architects of Crazy Town turn victims into predators.

Although farcical, the lessons of the Nazi Regime are proven to work. Big lies, repeated with energy and conviction can overwhelm truth and logic. What follows below are a sample of the beliefs of Crazy Town leaders (people believe this stuff):

* John Kennedy Jr. will rise from the dead and join Donald Trump’s campaign as the Vice-Presidential candidate in 2024

* Black and brown people are part of a Great Replacement effort to drive Whites into permanent subservience within the

Ron Porter

Commentary

United States.

* Hillary Clinton and other “liberal” Democrats are secretly grooming children to be sex slaves in the basements of pizza parlors.

* Adolph Hitler was a great leader who recognized the treachery of the Jewish race.

* The January 6 storming of the U. S. Capital Building was no more than tour ists exercising their right to walk the halls of the “People’s House”

Residents of Crazy Town walk among us, sometimes masking their beliefs. Often, in a sudden and explosive manner, Crazy Town residents announce their presence by

* Entering the Tree of Life Synagogue to slaughter Jewish worshippers

* Marching boldly through the streets of Charlottesville, VA with torches to pro claim White supremacy

* Storming a Buffalo, NY supermarket to kill African Americans because of a belief in Replacement Theory

One bit of bad news came with the narrow victory of Kris Kobach as Kansas attorney general. Kobach made a name for himself with attacks on immigrants and relentless attempts to restrict voting. Voters previously rejected his bids for governor and Senate, but, sadly, he’s back.

So is Trump, who officially launched his campaign to get back into the White House just a week after voters said “no thanks” to his most high-profile allies. It’s a reminder that in politics, no victory is final. The strug gle is never over. In fact, even this election isn’t over, as Georgia voters must return to the polls for a crucial runoff between Sen. Raphael Warnock and Trump’s candidate Herschel Walker.

Citizenship is a responsibility that requires constant recommitment. On that front, I’d like to share a bit of exciting personal news. Next year, I will continue my advocacy for a more just and sus tainable world in a new role as executive director of the Sierra Club, the nation’s most influential grassroots environmental group. I am delighted that my successor as president of People For the American Way will be Svante Myrick, who is just the kind of young leader our nation needs. He was elected to the city council of Ithaca, New York, while still a student, and at age 24, he became the city’s first Black mayor and the youngest mayor in the state. He was reelected twice by huge margins, and now he’s bringing his leadership and passion for defending democracy to the national level. Much to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiv ing, everyone.

(Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.)

* Claiming Donald Trump won the elec tion for president

* Supporting democracy by making access to voting more difficult

* Enslaving Africans improved their lives and the Africans appreciated being removed from their homeland.

* Waiting for Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy Jr. to rise from the dead (really!) These beliefs are CRAZY! I acknowledge my prejudice. If you believe the Q-Anon beliefs above, I doubt your sanity.

Reader, please understand there are examples of shallow and incomprehensible logic outside of Crazy Town communities. The desire of reallocate available funding to enhance law enforcement effectiveness make great sense; the phrase Defund the Police throws red meat in the lion’s den of resistance. Woke as a definer of sensi tivity and awareness of human difference is bomb; woke as a tool to hammer Dave Chappelle and Condoleezza Rice makes no sense. Great work must be done to bridge the national divide. I will write more about this in the future.

But, the growth of borderless Crazy Towns, founded on featherbeds of wind blown nonsense, defies science and logic. Crazy is as crazy does and Crazy Town is right around the corner from you right now!

(Ron Porter is a consultant, writer and speaker based in Pittsburgh, Pa. Contact at porter@consul trdp.com)

Fall into fitness to improve balance and mobility

(BPT)—Falling is a com mon concern among se niors, particularly as a fall has the potential to be more devastating for an older adult than the small scrape or bruise many might expect. While Fall Prevention Aware ness Month was in Sep tember, it’s always a good time to learn more about these very real risks and ways to reduce them. A simple step like joining a senior fitness program can significantly reduce the impact of falls or even prevent them entirely. Not only are these programs effective, but as members will tell you, they’re lots of fun, and you may al ready be eligible to partic ipate. SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading fitness program for older adults, is available to more than 18 million Americans through select Medicare plans.

The gravity of falls Falls have been a fact of life for each of us, ever since we took our first steps as infants. While often embarrassing and sometimes painful, as we get older, they may be come more frequent with

more serious consequenc es, including broken bones and hospitalization. More than one in three people aged 65 years or older falls each year, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National In stitute on Aging. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.

Many factors increase fall risk. Some may be ob vious such as poor vision, unsupportive footwear and hazards in the home including stairs or surfac es that easily become slip pery. But other factors may seem unrelated or change so slowly that we don’t notice the danger. These include difficulty hearing, single or combined med ications that cause dizzi ness, and decreased lower body strength and ankle mobility.

Some of these issues are best addressed by a medical professional, but exercise can dramatical ly reduce the risk of falls and the consequences. By engaging in activities that improve balance and build strength, you can become less vulnerable to falls.

Fortunately, senior fitness

programs prioritize those very things.

Developing stronger seniors

While anyone can begin exercising at any time, it can be difficult to know where or how to start. Which activities are best? How do you know if you’re performing them correct ly?

Fitness programs are a great solution because they offer a variety of ways to get active, but se nior fitness programs of fer the guidance that you need—the right activities at the right pace to main tain interest and prevent injury, where, when and how you want. As seniors, you have a unique set of physical and emotional needs, making activities that are offered in con venient community loca tions or from the comfort of home especially appeal ing. For older adults, the social component is often just as important and beneficial as the physical.

SilverSneakers offers members a network of up to 23,000 fitness locations across the nation as well as live online fitness class es and on-demand work

outs that can be joined virtually. The program features classes and exer cises that focus on improv ing balance and building the strength necessary to prevent falls, including yoga, bodyweight exer cises, Pilates and more. Tai Chi has been shown to help with balance and flexibility, making it a popular option among se niors. Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, also build strength and may even slow bone loss from osteoporosis.

“The activities a pro gram like SilverSneakers offers are designed with one demographic in mindseniors,” explained Maria Granzotti, Chief Medical Officer at Tivity Health. “As a result, they prior itize areas that become vulnerable with age, often without us even realizing it until something hap pens, like a fall. SilverS

neakers instructors en sure these programs are appealing, accessible, safe and fun, increasing the likelihood members will participate and helping them to improve strength and balance, which de creases the risk of falls.”

SilverSneakers’ offer ings target the unique needs of seniors, but they are also designed based on member feedback. The program regularly sur veys its members to en sure it is offering mem bers the activities they enjoy in the ways that work best for them. And if proof was ever need ed that these are the ac tivities seniors want, on Aug. 31, it was provided.

In honor of its 30th An niversary, SilverSneakers set a Guinness World Re cords™ title for the most viewers of a dance fitness live stream on Facebook with 3,075 viewers in at tendance.

Finding the perfect senior fitness program

With the right Medicare Advantage plan, joining a senior fitness program is easy. SilverSneakers is of fered at no additional cost to members and serves members in all 50 states from more than 70 health plans. And, with 30 years of experience serving the senior population and of fering classes for every fitness level, it’s an excel lent way to get fit, stay en gaged, reduce falls and be healthy. Medicare Advan tage members can visit silversneakers.com to de termine eligibility. If you aren’t currently on an MA plan, the annual Medicare Enrollment Period be tween Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 is a perfect time to review plans and find one that includes SilverSneakers. Visit silversneakers.com to learn more

(BPT)—There are many things to enjoy about fall.

From cooler temperatures to the colors of the leaves, and all the fun activities that come with the chang ing of the season, it is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. But along with the changing seasons and a slight chill in the air, come the looming days ahead of increased respiratory in fections. This fall, don’t let pneumococcal pneumonia get in the way of taking in all the things this season has to offer.

Here are some fun, health-oriented activities to try this fall:

* Take long walks outside: One of the best ways to stay active as the weather changes is taking a long walk to enjoy the fresh, crisp air.

* Pick your own apples: Enjoy a healthy snack full of fiber and antioxidants by picking apples at a local ap

ple orchard.

* Hit the farmer’s market: Take advantage of fresh, organic fruits and veggies at your local farmer’s mar ket, while supporting local businesses and farms.

* Find out if you’re at risk for pneumococcal pneumo nia and learn about vacci nation to help prevent it.

Pneumococcal pneumonia can strike any time of year, and pneumococcal vacci nation is available yearround. While you’re getting vaccinated against flu this season, don’t forget to ask your doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneu monia vaccination. Even if you’ve already had a pre vious pneumonia vaccine, your healthcare provider may recommend it for ad ditional protection.

What is pneumococcal pneumonia?

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bac terial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks.

In severe cases, it can put you in the hospital and even be life-threatening. Who is at risk?

The risk for pneumococ cal pneumonia increases for adults 19 or older with certain chronic health con ditions, including asthma, diabetes, COPD, and chron ic heart disease, among others. People aged 65 or older are also at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, even if they’re generally healthy, because the immune system weak ens with age.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist

No matter the season, it’s important to think about what you can do to help protect your health. Don’t wait—talk to a doctor or pharmacist about pneumo coccal vaccination. To learn more about the disease, risks, symptoms and more, visit KnowPneumonia.com.

The leaves are falling, but your proactive health measures don’t have to—protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia

Rep. Karen Bass proclaimed first

Black female mayor of Los Angeles

by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

When Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) announced her candidacy for may or of Los Angeles last year, she knew the race wouldn’t be easy.

But the former Con gressional Black Caucus Chair also believed that her beloved city faced a crisis, and that others that had (or were likely to) declare their candi dacy, probably wouldn’t live up to the challenge.

“I’ve spent my entire life bringing groups of people together in coa litions to solve complex problems and produce concrete change—espe cially in times of crisis,” Bass declared in Sep tember 2021.

“Los Angeles is my home. With my whole heart, I’m ready. Let’s do this—together.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, more than a week after voting closed in the City of Angels, Bass was de clared the winner in a tight race that pitted her against billionaire developer Rick Caruso.

With her victory, Bass will become the first Black woman to lead the city during a time when Los Angeles faces an ev er-growing homeless cri sis and a myriad of other issues left behind by her predecessor Eric Garcet ti.

“We are in a fight for the soul of our city,” de clared Bass, who count ed among those on Pres ident Joe Biden’s short candidate list for the vice presidency that ultimately went to fel low-CBC alum Kamala Harris.

“We are going to build a new Los Angeles,” she said.

With extensive expe rience in Congress and as a California Assem bly leader, Bass said she understands the fight ahead. After all, she emerged from an intense battle in which her op ponent spent more than $100 million.

Projections had Bass winning more than 53 percent of the vote to Caruso’s 47 percent.

The Associated Press said Bass enjoyed the advantage of being a lifelong Democrat “in a

city where Republicans are almost invisible.”

Last week, Vice Presi dent Harris campaigned in Los Angeles with Bass, and many high-profile Democrats backed her candidacy.

The news service not ed that Bass would be come the first woman and second Black person to hold the job after for mer Mayor Tom Bradley held the post from 1973 to 1993.

She’ll also attempt to cool the figurative fires that have been stoked internally among city leaders, including a racial scandal that’s rocked City Council.

Further, the city has more than 40,000 indi viduals who are home less, and crime has unnerved even the up per-class areas of Los Angeles.

“Congratulations to our Mayor-Elect,” superstar entertainer and Bass supporter John Legend tweeted.

“Angelenos chose some one who has devoted her life to helping her com munity become healthi er, safer, and more just.”

Your feelings CAN fail you

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NOVEMBER 21, 2022

The Office of the County Controller of Allegheny County, Room 104, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, will receive separate and sealed Bids on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM. until 2:00 PM and FROM 10:00 AM. until 11:00 A M. prevailing local time, Wednesday , December 14, 2022, and a representative of the Department of Public Works will open and read the Bids in Conference Room l, County Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, one-half hour later, 11:30 o’clock A.M., for the following:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SLIDE REPAIR PROJECT CLIFF MINE ROAD NORTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP COUNTY PROJECT No. 6075-0102

As a prospective bidder please note the following general Project information regarding Pre-Bid Information, Bidding Requirements, and Contract Conditions. See the Project Manual for detailed information, responsibilities and instructions.

PRE-BID INFORMATION: Purchase and/or view the Project Manual and Drawings at the Office of the Contract Manager, Room 504, County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA. The non-refundable charge for the Proposal and a disk containing the Specifications and Drawings is $107.00 including sales tax. The Contract Manager will accept only check or money order to the “COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY” in that amount and WILL NOT ACCEPT CASH OR EXTEND CREDIT.

Prospective bidders may request to have bid documents mailed. An nadditional fee of $16.05 including tax, for handling costs for each requested proposal must be paid in advance. The fee must be received at the Office of the Contract Manager prior to the mailing of any documents.Interested bidders should be aware that when entering either the Allegheny County Courthouse or County Office Building, face mask use should be followed in accordance with the most current CDC guidelines.

BIDDING REQUIREMENTS: The County requires pre-qualification of bidders, including subcontractors, as specified in Section 102.01 of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Specifications, Publication No.408, 2020 Edition, Change No. 5, Effective October 7, 2022 on this project.

Submit Proposal on the supplied form in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders and Specifications; include the following documents with the Bid Form, ALONG WITH ONE

COMPLETE PHOTOCOPIED SET OF THE PROPOSAL:

• Bid Security - certified check or surety company bond on County’s form to

•

•

•

The anticipated notice to proceed is February 6, 2023. The project completion will be 163 consecutive calendar days the from notice to proceed.

The County of Allegheny hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this Advertisement, minority business enterprises / women business enterprises [MBE/WBE] will be afforded the full opportunity to submit bids in response to this advertisement and the County will not discriminate against minority and women business enterprises on the grounds of race, sex, color or national origin in consideration for an award. It is a condition of the bidding process/contract that all responsive bidders / contractors shall follow the minority business enterprises and women business enterprises [MBE/WBE] procedures set forth in the project manual/contract documents. For technical questions contact Ken Urbanec , P.E., Project Manager, at 412-350-1278

For contracting questions contact the Contracts Division at 412-350-7646.

Corey O’Connor Controller Allegheny County

by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew

As I get older, I recog nize that feelings are real and yet, they can be dangerous. Our feelings, if unchecked, can wreak havoc and confusion.

Just last week, I re ceived a voicemail from an angry lady. She was livid about something that happened to her and spewed frustration about what others had done. I immediately called her back, and she began to apologize for being in her feelings and reacting too quickly. I called to inform her that it wasn’t some thing I was responsible for and after listening to the situation, I im mediately informed her that she needed to reach out to a totally different entity. She continued to apologize after realizing that she had gotten up set without having clear information.

She’s not alone—it is commonplace to witness individuals immediate ly respond based on how they feel. Many of our de cisions are rooted in how it makes us feel.

We immediately re spond often without thinking things through and truly assessing what is going on. Relationships have been destroyed, trust broken, and jobs terminated because of the need to respond.

If more people paused and thought of the conse quences of their actions, they might be more apt to do things differently.

According to Dr. Bryn Farnsworth, “…feelings are the conscious expe rience of emotional re actions. Originating in the neocortical regions of the brain, feelings are sparked by emotions and shaped by person al experiences, beliefs, memories, and thoughts linked to that particular emotion. Strictly speak ing, a feeling is the side product of your brain perceiving an emotion

and assigning a certain meaning to it.”

Your feelings become thoughts which can then become an action—they are all connected. As sumptions are the worst because they lead us down a path of no return because we can assign the wrong meaning to the emotion we are expe riencing.

Without having com plete information and knowledge, we can make decisions that have far reaching consequenc es that began in our thoughts and our emo tions.

In Luke 15:11-32, we see an example of a young man who thought he knew more and re quested his inheritance from his father. He prob ably allowed his feelings to validate his decision and instead of staying in a place of stability and comfort, he squandered his finances with no where to live.

“17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.”

His feelings, based in bad thinking, resulted in destructive consequenc es.

When we make rash de cisions, we are like this young man. Instead of consulting God (repre sented by the Father in this passage), we allow our feelings, bad infor mation, and other peo ple’s opinions to sway us into choices that are not in our best interests.

We make assumptions that others have it bet ter than we do and if we just do it ‘our’ way, things would be better. So much grief could have been

avoided if he had spoken with his father first.

Are you talking to God about your emotions and feelings before acting? Are you allowing the presence and Word of God to inform your decisions, your feelings, and your thoughts before reacting or seeking the advice of others? The Bible speaks about emotions and their power. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV) It is okay to experience our feelings because they are a gauge. We cannot allow our feelings to control us in such a way that we make decisions that harm us and others. It’s not that you don’t pay attention to how you feel. You should but you cannot allow your feelings to be the sole indicator in your decision making.

It is about listening to God to direct you, seek ing wise counsel, and tak ing an inventory of what is going on objectively. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every thing by prayer and sup plication with thanksgiv ing let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all under standing, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippi ans 4:6-7. Our emotions and feelings are real. They are data. And just as data doesn’t tell the entire story, your feelings don’t either.

(Dr. Froswa Book er-Drew is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, Special izing as a Partnership Broker and Leadership Expert for companies and organizations to thrive with measurable and meaningful impact. She also is the VP of Commu nity Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas.)

‘Without having complete information and knowledge, we can make decisions that have far-reaching consequences’

Notices

DOROTHY CHEATOM, deceased, of Pittsburgh, No. 7345 of 2022. Beverly Cheatom, Petitioner, has filed a Petition to Determine Title to Real Estate at 610 Montooth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, pursuant to 20 PA § 3546, Peter B. Lewis, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Counsel.

Estate of DAVID EDWARD CIMAROLLI Deceased of Bridgeville, County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, No.02-22-06193 , Justine Cimarolli, Administrator, 632 Bank Street Bridgeville, PA 15017 or to Robin L. Rarie, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC., 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, PA, Orphans Court Division, Estate of RUFUS D. SMITH SR., deceased Case No. 022206772

. Notice is hereby given that on October 18, 2022, a Petition was filed by Rufus D. Smith Jr. to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Rufus D. Smith Sr., deceased in the real estate located at 3610 Centralia St, Pittsburgh (20th Ward), PA, 15204 and to determine that fee simple title be in Rufus D. Smith Jr. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 60 days of the date of this Notice, Rufus D. Smith Jr. will seek an Order adjudging that Decedent’s title is in him.

Estate of MAHMOUD RAHIM, Deceased of Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-22-0747, Omar Rahim, Executor, 4993 Adah Drive, Manlius, NY 13104 or to TODD A. FULLER, Atty, BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, PA, Orphans Court Division, Estate of JANET L WILLIAMS, deceased. Case No. 02-22-6479. Notice is hereby given that on October 6, 2022, a Petition was filed by Gordon Williams to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Janet L Williams, deceased in the real estate located at 2701 Brackenridge St, Pittsburgh (5’th Ward), PA, 15219 (County Tax Parcel No. 10-44-00194) and to determine that fee simple title be in Gordon Williams. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days of the date of this Notice, Gordon Williams will seek an Order adjudging that Decedent’s title is in him.

OFFICIAL NOTICE BOROUGH OF THORNBURG PROPOSED BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget detailing expenditures from revenue sources for the year 2023 has been prepared by the Council of the Borough of Thornburg The proposed budget may be reviewed and/or full copy may be obtained by contacting the undersigned at 545 Hamilton Road, Borough of Thornburg, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205 or thornburg.secretary@gmail.com. Written or oral arguments concerning the proposed budget will be received by Council at its regular meeting to be held on December 5, 2022 at 7:00 PM. It is intended that a final budget will be adopted by Council at said meeting.

Dorothy Falk Borough Secretary/Treasurer Borough of Thornburg

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on December 6, 2022, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Old Roosevelt PreK-1, Pgh. Roosevelt 2-5, Pgh. Phillips K-5, Pgh. Mifflin Pre-K-8, and Pgh. Concord K-5

Whiteboard Installations

General Prime

Pgh. Student Achievement Center Elevator Construction & Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, and Asbestos Abatement Primes

Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on November 14, 2022, at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700) 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable.

Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Public

Notice

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

November 23, 2022

City of Pittsburgh – Office of Management and Budget 414 Grant Street Room 501 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211

This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS (1) – RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION (RAD) PROGRAM PROJECT

On or about Tuesday, December 13, 2022, the City of Pittsburgh will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release Federal funds under the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD) under the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended and/ or The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012, Public Law 112-55 and/or H-2019-09 PIH-201923 (HA) for New Pennley Place , located at 5601 Penn Avenue (Main address) and 108, 116, 124,132, 204, 210, 216, 222 North Negley Avenue, and 5611, 5616, 5620, 5621, 5630, 5631, 5640, and 5641 Broad Street in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania 15206.

New Pennley Place Phase I (AMP PA-01-64) is a 102-unit existing property comprising thirty-eight (38) low income public housing units, thirty-eight (38) Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) units, and 26 unrestricted market rate units. The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB; the Developer and Owner of New Pennley Place Phase I) and the Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh (HACP) intend to convert all thirty-eight (38) low income public housing units to Project Based Voucher (PBV) units under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Upon conversion to RAD, these 38 units will utilize Small Area Fair Market Rents.

This proposed RAD conversion is part of a larger resyndication effort, which will include New Pennley Place Phase II. New Pennley Place Phase II, also owned by TCB, is an existing contiguous property, comprising thirty-four (34) units and does not include any public housing units. The combined total of the two phases equals 136 units. TCB plans to combine New Pennley Place Phases I and II under one owner entity, and the RAD conversion will occur simultaneously with a resyndication closing in order to rehab these properties. By combining these two properties, TCB and HACP hope to achieve an economy of scale in both development and construction-related costs and in operational costs on an ongoing basis enabling the two properties to leverage more debt in order to afford the much-needed improvements. In order to support the combined project HACP will also provide five (5) non-RAD PBV’s in what is currently the Phase II portion of the development.

Immediately following the conversion to RAD, the units will undergo moderate rehabilitation to include, but may not be limited to:

- Kitchen cabinets and countertops upgrade

- Kitchen appliances repair or replacement (if not recently replaced)

- Bathroom cabinets, tub/shower, toilet, hardware upgrade

- Painting, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures upgrade

- Removal of carpets

- Roof repair or replacement (if not already replaced)

- Furnace repair or replacement (if not recently replaced)

- Water heater repair or replacement (if not recently replaced)

As part of the financing, which includes equity from acquisition credits, the two properties will be sold to a new owner entity controlled by TCB.

Project financing will likely include, but will not be limited t o, 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Tax Exempt Bond debt along with assumed debt including HACP Moving to Work (MTW) funds currently in the amount of $8,761,908, and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) funds in an estimated amount of $2,574,341 of a subordinate soft loan. A portion of the existing debt from the projects’ original financing will be forgiven. The permanent loan would most likely be a balance sheet loan from a bank, a Fannie/ Freddie loan, or a first mortgage from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. FHA or HUD insured debt is not anticipated at this time. HACP will use Moving to Work funds (MTW) for all HACP-related transactional and legal fees in the estimated amount of $100,000.00. The total cost of the project is approximately $25,559,958.00 USD.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (2) – RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION (RAD) PROGRAM PROJECT

The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the project will hav e no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to City of Pittsburgh, Office of Management and Budget, 414 Grant St, City County Building Room 501, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or by email to Whitney.Finnstrom@pittsburghpa.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Whitney Finnstrom City of Pittsburgh, 414 Grant Street, Room 501 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2211 OR Whitney.Finnstrom@pittsburghpa.gov

All comments received by Thursday, December 8, 2022 will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice (Request for Release of Funds 1 or Finding of No Significant Impact 2) they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that Ed Gainey in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh to use development funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pittsburgh certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Field Office of Public Housing in Pittsburg h at PittsburghPIH.ER@hud.gov regarding the Section 8 PBV funds and Moving to Work (MTW) funds, or to the HUD Field Office of Community Planning and Development in Pittsburgh at Phillip.E.McKeough@hud.gov / (412) 644-5846 regarding HUD HOME funds. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Field Office of Public Housing in Pittsburgh via email or Community Planning and Development in Pittsburgh via email or phone as given above to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Ed Gainey Mayor

City of Pittsburgh

THE WILKINS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING

The Wilkins Township Board of Commissioners shall hold a public hearing beginning at 6:30 PM on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the Municipal Building, 110 Peffer Road, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 for the purpose of hearing public comments on the proposed condemnation and demolition of the following properties:

Physical Address: Lot/Block No.: 909 Stevendale Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15221 372-R-202 606 Brown Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 373-D-195

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for the Marion Township Sanitary Sewer Project consisting of Contracts No. 2022-S-1, 2022-S-2 and 2022-E-1 will be received at the Butler County Controllers office 124 West Diamond Street, 5th Floor, PO Box 1208, Butler, PA 16001, on or before 2:00 pm prevailing time, December 20, 2022. Bids will be opened and read aloud on December 21, 2022 at the Butler County Commissioners Meeting. All Bids must be plainly marked Bid for Marion Township Sanitary Sewer Project on the outside of the envelope.

Contract Descriptions:

Contract 2022-S-1 consists of the installation of 18,000 LF of low-pressure sanitary sewer line, approximately 2,500 LF of gravity sewer lines, service connections, 85 grinder pumps and all related appurtenances. Low pressure sewers will be installed using trenchless technology.

Contract 2022-S-2 consists of the installation of a Recirculating Sand Filter (RSF) treatment plant and decommission of the existing lagoon treatment facilities. The proposed plant will include underground tanks, pumps, piping, gravel access, perimeter fencing, surface sand filter, chlorine contact, dechlorination, influent and effluent samplers and flow meters, and all appurtenances.

Contract 2022-E-1 consists of all electrical work related to the construction of the RSF treatment plant.The project is located in Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: The EADS Group, Inc. (Engineer), 15392 Route 322, Clarion, PA 16214; telephone number (814)764-5050. Contract Documents and Plans are to be purchased from The EADS Group, Inc. for the nonrefundable fee of $300.00 for one hard copy set or for the nonrefundable fee of $25.00 for the electronic format set of contract documents and plans. Shipping is an additional $25.00. To access the electronic format the bidder must have a valid email address and will require an internet connection. All checks shall be made payable to “The EADS Group, Inc.” Bidders must purchase the Contract Documents and Plans (in either format) from The EADS Group, Inc. to be eligible to bid this project.

This project is being financed by a federally funded grant from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by the County of Butler Economic Development and Planning Office and as such, the obligations imposed on the Owner by the financing agency(s) shall apply to and be acceptable to the successful bidder(s) and contractors assigned to the project. Davis-Bacon wage rates and other federal requirements apply and are included in the bid documents.

Contractors will be required to use their best efforts to afford small businesses, minority and women’s business enterprises the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the performance of this contract. The bidders must submit documentary evidence of Section 3 Business Concerns and Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) who have been contacted and to whom commitments have been made in their bidding process. Documentation of such solicitations and commitments shall be submitted concurrently with the bid.

Marion Township and Butler County are an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AA). Contractors and subcontractors will be required to comply with all related laws, amendments and regulations of the Federal and State governments as they relate to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

Notice is hereby given that this is a Section 3 Project under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Regulations can be found at: https://portalapps.hud.gov/Sec3BusReg/BRegistry/BRegistryHome Notice is also hereby given that this project is regulated under Executive Order 11246 - Equal Employment Opportunity and related contract specifications apply. Regulations can be found at: www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/executive-order-11246

Bidders must comply with all State anti-bid-rigging regulations pertaining to work associated with this project and will be required to submit an executed non-collusion affidavit with the bid Each proposal shall be accompanied by a bidder’s bond, or certified check or cashier’s check, in favor of the County of Butler, in the amount of not less than ten percent. The Owner and the County of Butler reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, including without limitation, nonconforming, nonresponsive, unbalanced, or conditional Bids. The Owner and the County of Butler also reserves the right to waive all minor informalities not involving price, time, or changes in the Work and to award the contract as may be deemed in the best interest of the Owner. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days.

The contract documents contain requirements addressing prevailing labor wage rates, labor standards, nondiscrimination in hiring practices, goal for minority and female participation, MBE and WBE participation, participation by Section 3 residents and businesses and related matters.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at the Marion Township offices 2275 West Sunbury Road, Suite B, Boyers, PA on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM.

BOARD

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a/ Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.rideprt.org).

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on December 13, 2022 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527) as well as through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing, for the following:

1 B220980AR

2 REV22-10-105A

3 B2211106A

4 B2211109

5 B2211110A

6 B2211112

7

8 B2211115

To join by Microsoft Team video conference: bit.ly/3sLWOfg

To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) Conference ID: 220 898 412#

No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held via tele-conference on each of the above items at 10:00 am November 29, 2022, as well as through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conference.

To join by Microsoft Team video conference: bit.ly/3WkVjCr

To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) Conference ID: 484 820 987#

Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by Pittsburgh Regional Transit within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening.

These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a/ Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

The Board of Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a/ Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA) will receive proposals for Design Services for East & West Lobby Renovations at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center . The contracts for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority. The Request for Proposals may be obtained after the date identified below from Lucas Kistler, Director of Facility Services, Email: lkistler@pittsburghcc.com, Telephone: 412.325.6179.

This Advertisement applies to the following Request for Proposal: Project: Design Services for East & West Lobby Renovations

RFP Available: Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Pre-Proposal Meeting: 10:00 am, Friday, December 2, 2022 (Non-Mandatory)

DLCC – East Lobby 1000 Ft Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Time/Date/Location for Proposals: 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 14, 2022

DLCC – East Lobby 1000 Ft Duquesne Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15222 lkistler@pittsburghcc.com

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

office 124 West Diamond Street, 5th Floor, PO Box 1208, Butler, PA 16001, on or before 2:00 pm prevailing time, December 20, 2022. Bids will be opened and read aloud on December 21, 2022 at the Butler County Commissioners Meeting. All Bids must be plainly marked Bid for Marion Township Grinder Pump Purchase on the outside of the envelope.

Contract Descriptions:

Contract 2022-P-01 consists of the purchase of 87 grinder pump package systems and lateral packages and 5 grinder pump cores as specified in the contract documents. Equipment to be delivered to Marion Township, Butler County, PA for future installation The project is located in Marion Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: The EADS Group, Inc. (Engineer), 15392 Route 322, Clarion, PA 16214; telephone number (814)764-5050. Contract Documents are to be purchased from The EADS Group, Inc. for the nonrefundable fee of $25.00 for the electronic format set of contract documents. To access the electronic format the bidder must have a valid email address and will require an internet connection. All checks shall be made payable to “The EADS Group, Inc.” Bidders must purchase the Contract Documents and Plans (in either format) from The EADS Group, Inc. to be eligible to bid this project.

This project is being financed by a federally funded grant from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by the County of Butler Economic Development and Planning Office and as such, the obligations imposed on the Owner by the financing agency(s) shall apply to and be acceptable to the successful bidder(s) and contractors assigned to the project.

Contractors will be required to use their best efforts to afford small businesses, minority and women’s business enterprises the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the performance of this contract. The bidders must submit documentary evidence of Section 3 Business Concerns and Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) who have been contacted and to whom commitments have been made in their bidding process. Documentation of such solicitations and commitments shall be submitted concurrently with the bid.

Marion Township and Butler County are an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AA). Contractors and subcontractors will be required to comply with all related laws, amendments and regulations of the Federal and State governments as they relate to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

Notice is hereby given that this is a Section 3 Project under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Regulations can be found at: https://portalapps.hud.gov/Sec3BusReg/BRegistry/BRegistryHome Notice is also hereby given that this project is regulated under Executive Order 11246 - Equal Employment Opportunity and related contract specifications apply. Regulations can be found at: www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/executive-order-11246

Bidders must comply with all State anti-bid-rigging regulations pertaining to work associated with this project and will be required to submit an executed non-collusion affidavit with the bid

The Owner and the County of Butler reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, including without limitation, nonconforming, nonresponsive, unbalanced, or conditional Bids. The Owner and the County of Butler also reserves the right to waive all minor informalities not involving price, time, or changes in the Work and to award the contract as may be deemed in the best interest of the Owner. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days.

The contract documents contain requirements addressing, goal for minority and female participation, MBE and WBE participation, participation by Section 3 residents and businesses and related matters.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY PUBLIC NOTICE

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is accepting Letters of Interest and Statements of Qualifications from Professional Companies who wish to be considered for the following:

Professional Services Wet Weather Pump Station Final Design Project (S-489)

Ten (10) hard copies of sealed Submittals and one electronic copy (on a USB) are required. Submittals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. (EST) January 4, 2023 at the ALCOSAN Procurement Department office.

Allegheny County Sanitary Authority 3300 Preble Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Attention: Suzanne Thomas Procurement Officer

All questions shall be submitted, in writing, to Ms. Thomas at suzanne.thomas@alcosan.org

An informational meeting will be held on-line via Microsoft Teams on December 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. (EST). All parties interested in attending the informational meeting shall send an email to Suzanne Thomas before COB December 13. Once the emails are compiled, ALCOSAN will email a Microsoft Teams meeting invite. This meeting is not mandatory, but all interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend.

ALCOSAN intends to award the services to one team to perform all services. All submittals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. (EST) January 4, 2023. It is Consultant’s responsibility to ensure the documents have been received. Late submittals will not be considered. Additional information and instructions may be obtained by visiting: https://www.alcosan.org/workwith-us/planned-and-active-bids ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities, disadvantaged and women’s business enterprises to submit qualification statements or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to the selected Consultant/Firm. The Party selected shall be required to utilize minority, disadvantaged, and women’s business enterprises to the fullest extent possible. The goals of the ALCOSAN’s Minority and Women Business Policy are listed on the ALCOSAN website at www.alcosan.org.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bids are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 on the following:

RFP 3135 - ORGANIZATIONAL AND OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION PLAN ANALYSIS

Due date: 2:00 P.M. Prevailing

Time on Friday January 13, 2023

Any bid or proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer.

Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications.

No bidder may withdraw his bid or proposal for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

For more information, contact Michael Cvetic at mcvetic@ccac.edu.

Notice is given that the County of Butler , is seeking proposals for construction phase engineering services, Project Management Engineer, and Resident Project Representative for the Marion Township (Boyers) Sewer System Project using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Details are included in the Request for Qualifications which is available by contacting Butler County Planning Commission, 124 W. Diamond St, Po Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003. Phone: (724) 284-5303 or wleslie@co.butler.pa.us

The Butler County Controller’s Office, 124 W. Diamond St, PO Box 1208 Butler, PA 16003 will accept sealed proposals with “RFQ for Boyers Sewer Project Management” clearly on the outside of the envelope until 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Opening will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at the Commissioner’s public meeting.

Specifications for the proposal may be obtained from the Butler County Planning Commission Office at the above address, or by calling the office at (724) 284-5300

The County of Butler will assign a weight for MBE/WBE and Section 3 business participation for each Request for Qualifications. This weight will be included as one of the criteria for selection for each RFQ.

BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Leslie A. Osche, Chairman Kimberly Geyer Kevin E. Boozel

Attest: Lori Altman Director of Human Resources/

Kimberly

BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Leslie A. Osche, Chairman Kimberly Geyer Kevin E. Boozel Attest: Lori Altman Director of Human Resources/Chief Clerk

15222-2527

Third

Sixth

1:30 p.m. on Monday,

(412) 566-5415 prior

UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals) and will be opened and read at 2:00 p.m. via teleconference at: (toll free phone number: 1-855-453-6957 and conference ID #4485786). Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bidders submitting bids via FedEx, UPS, USPS or other carrier must immediately provide tracking information to the assigned contract specialist via e-mail. Upon delivery, bidder will notify the assigned contract specialist with an e-mailed receipt. Bids received, or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

EAST LIBERTY AND WILKINSBURG ELECTRICAL UPGRADES

CONTRACT NO. SYS-22-07 G

CONTRACT NO. SYS-22-07 E

The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all electrical service upgrades and equipment upgrades for Battery Electric Bus (BEB) charging at East Liberty Garage and Wilkinsburg Park and Ride.

Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after Friday, November 18, 2022, at Authority’s offices at the following address (If you are picking up bid documents, please call David Hart at (412) 566-5415 prior to arriving at this location – all participants - IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals):

Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527

Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on USB Storage Drive upon payment of $15 per USB drive. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit.” No refunds of payment will be made. Upon request, Bid Documents can be mailed upon receipt of payment in full. Should the purchaser wish to have the Bid Documents delivered via special delivery, such as UPS or Federal Express, the purchaser shall provide its appropriate account numbers for such special delivery methods.

This Project is subject to financial assistance contracts between Authority and County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Authority, in compliance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, as amended, 74 Pa. C.S. § 303, as may be amended, implements positive affirmative action procedures to ensure that all Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) and certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed, in whole or in part, with federal and state funds provided for this Project. In this regard, all Bidders shall take all necessary and reasonable steps, and make good faith efforts, in accordance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, to ensure that DBE’s, and in accordance with 74 Pa. C.S. § 300, to insure that DBs, have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of DOT-assisted contracts. It is a condition of this Contract that all Bidders shall follow the DBE and DB required procedures as set forth in the Bid Documents. If aid is required to involve DBEs and DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact Authority’s DBE Representative, Sue Broadus at (412) 566-5257.

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions: Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: David Hart – Authority DHart@rideprt.org (412) 566-5415

All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to: Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 Attn: David Hart email: DHart@rideprt.org

In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid:

9:00 am

Pre-Bid Conference will be conducted via teleconference at: November 28, 2022 Toll free phone number: 1-855-453-6957 Conference ID #4485786 (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended)

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT –

AFCS

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking an Accounting Assistant – AFCS to be responsible for maintaining all aspects of Automatic Fare Collection System billing.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for distributing all of the media fare throughout Allegheny County and creating the corresponding invoices from the PeopleSoft Financials system. This includes being responsible for the fare media in the vault, maintaining and reconciling quantities on hand, as well as processing and verifying orders received.

• Scheidt & Bachman (S&B) Corporate Web Portal

1. Maintains customer database. Includes initial set up for each customer, training of users, troubleshooting technology issues and keeping customers informed of any changes and/or systems alerts.

2. Reconciles PeopleSoft Financial billings with S&B web portal far product orders.

3. Assists customers with lost and malfunctioning ConnectCards, including blocking, deactivating and replacing cards with fare product and/or stored value.

Job requirements include:

• Associate degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited school. Equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

• Minimum of two (2) years accounting experience within the past five (5) years.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Demonstrated ability to use Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Effective and professional communication skills.

Preferred attributes:

• Familiarity with account classification.

• Experience using PeopleSoft Financials.

• Familiarity with fare instruments and pricing.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Glenn Huetter

Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 GHuetter@RidePRT.org EOE

WORKERS COMPENSATION

SPECIALIST

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Workers Compensation Specialist to investigate work-related injuries/disabilities by collecting and compiling information gathered from internal and external sources.

Review factual evidence and prepare information necessary to determine the acceptance, denial, termination, modification or suspension of workers’ compensation benefits; provide case management from the initial filing of a claim through return to gainful employment or settlement.

Essential Functions:

• Investigates facts and information regarding employee work-related injuries and disabilities by interviewing employees through a telephone conversation, at the employee’s home, or in the Workers’ Compensation office; interviewing witnesses, medical providers, attorneys and others to determine nature and degree of injury and/or disability; completes required forms and investigation reports. (Such work requires operation of company vehicle and qualification on Port Authority of Allegheny County Right-of-Way.)

• Reviews claim information to identify compliance conditions for acceptance, denial, termination, modification or suspension of workers’ compensation benefits; corresponds with employee to explain determination and claim status.

• Provides case management services; assumes responsibility for managing the claims to closure, including determining the need for medical management, vocational rehabilitation, surveillance, etc., as needed, and tracking cases on a timely basis.

Job requirements include:

• Associate Degree in Business or related field from an accredited school. Related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

• Minimum of four (4) years of claims handling and investigative experience in either workers compensation or general liability in the last 10 years, including experience compiling and reviewing medical records.

• Valid PA driver’s license.

• Professional and effective communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows and Word.

Preferred attributes:

• BA/BS Degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or related field from an accredited school.

• Interviewing skills.

• Accident investigation experience.

• Ability to use Excel, Access, and Claims Management Software.

Missy

9:00 a.m.

Pre-Bid East Liberty Garage Site Tour November 29, 2022 Contractors to initially meet at: East Liberty Garage Guard Booth 6831 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206

All participants must provide and wear class 2 safety vests and appropriate foot wear; all participants - IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must always provide and wear a mask and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals. (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.)

1:30 p.m. Bids Due December 19, 2022

Purchasing and Materials Management Department

Please call David Hart at (412) 566-5415 prior to arriving at the Heinz 57 location – all participants - IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals.

Bids submitted via Fed Ex, UPS, USPS or other carrier are subject to the notification requirements indicated above.

2:00 p.m. Bid Opening December 19, 2022 will be conducted via teleconference at: Toll free phone number: 1-855-453-6957 Conference ID #4485786

Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids

CONFERENCE

ARTICLE 2 – PRE-BID

A Pre-Bid Conference may be held with prospective Bidders to review the Bid Documents and generally discuss the Project. The time and place will be specified in the Advertisement. All Bidders are encouraged to submit their questions in writing to the respective individuals listed in the Adver tisement prior to the time specified in the Advertisement for the Pre-Bid Conference. A response may be provided during the Pre-Bid Conference or by Addendum thereafter.

ARTICLE 3 – PRE-BID TOUR

If a site tour is to be conducted covering the area(s) of the Work, it will be held at the date and time indicated in the Advertisement.

ARTICLE 4 – PUBLIC OPENING OF BIDS

Bids will be publicly opened and announced at the advertised time and place set for such Bid opening.