Wow. Build the Hill was great last weekend! Thanks everybody! There were three days of activities but some of the reporters were particularly interested in the unsung heroes and sheroes in the Community. Here's one article. Odd sort of twist, eh? Will follow up soon.
In the meantime, I get to get some laughs in, as the economy tanks:
Here's the latest Tina Fey impression of Sarah Palin.
It's a parody of the latest interview Palin did with Katie Couric.
This is so funny, it's sad.
I'll be doing mine this Thursday at the Obama Fundraiser.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Build the Hill This Weekend!
Hey Folks,
Last weekend, I opened for The Last Poets. Love them, love them, love them and excellent job, Kente Arts Alliance!
I also unveiled my Sarah Palin character and that's about the only time she'll be a hit in my world.
This weekend . . . Build the Hill! September 26-28, 2008!
We had the Kickoff in May and now it's time for the Conference, itself!
http://www.buildthehill.org (not hyperlinking so you can memorize it and tell everybody else)
I'm so excited! We have a lot of registrants and have exceeded our expected numbers! We have lots of volunteers!
A youth talent showcase on Friday . . . at Margaret Milliones University Prep School, 3117 Centre Ave. at Ewart St.
On Saturday, same place, the Conference filled with a Recognition Breakfast (get up!) information, activities and fun for adults and youth, alike (youth have their own track), and then later that night (8:30pm), an OUTDOOR film screening of Chris Ivey's "East of Liberty Chapter 2: The Fear of Us" at Ozanam Basketball Court, 1833 Wylie Avenue at Sweeney Way.
On Sunday, at the Legacy Apartments (2121 Centre Ave), we have the Crown Contest and Bake-Off, where we get to see who's the biggest and the baddest baker and hat-wearer in the Hill.
Y'all better be lucky I'm not allowed to enter because my banana pudding is lethal! However, one of our contestants has written in, "I bake a mean chocolate mousse cake". Yummy! We'll discuss issues, record oral narratives of the Hill from Seniors and then wrap up the Conference.
Check the website for all of the details, speakers, etc. It's going to be quite lovely.
We are out of space for vendors!
We are almost out of space for registrants!
If you're bringing kids, PLEASE register for yourself and them here: http://www.buildthehill.org
Any questions? Call our toll-free number and someone will get back to you: 1-877-277-9066
Check out the flyers! See you there!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Will Sarah Palin Be the Grandmother of a Black Child?
Okay, I don't know how valid any of these rumors are; but this person is speaking on camera, in the first person and telling his story. According to this video, a young Black man is claiming to be the father of Bristol Palin's child and wants to be a part of the child's life and is being told to "stay away" because he's Black and because of Palin's career.
If any part of this is true, John McCain and Sarah Palin will need to look for alternative employment this November.
Click here to watch the video.
Let me know what you think.
If any part of this is true, John McCain and Sarah Palin will need to look for alternative employment this November.
Click here to watch the video.
Let me know what you think.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
My Favorite Bully
Long before the Wu Tang Clan, there was Sho' Nuff from "The Last Dragon"
R.I.P. Julius Carey.
"Who's the Master?"
R.I.P. Julius Carey.
"Who's the Master?"
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Pat Ford Blows the Whistle As He Resigns
Honestly, this letter of resignation speaks for itself.
All I want to know, Mr. Ford is:
1. What happened the day the planning commission passed the plans for the Arena?
2. What happened the day the August Wilson home was supposed to go up for its Historic Designation (the first time)?
3. What else was being said when no one else was around?
Thanks.
Text of Pat Ford's letter of resignation as URA executive director
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
27 August 2008
Mr. Yarone Zober, Chairman
Board of Directors
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
200 Ross Street, 12th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2069
RE: Letter of Resignation Patrick B. Ford, Executive Director
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Dear Mr. Zober,
I am resigning from my position as Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (No. 6 of contract) effective the end date of my contract term. Per the term of my contract, I expect to be compensated for the remainder of 2008 (No. 3 of contract).
When I returned to work for the late Mayor Bob O'Connor, I believed that great things were about to happen in this City. I hoped for those same things when I was promoted by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Unfortunately, I have not seen that to be the case.
To this day, my wife and I are being persecuted with no support from the administration I served, for no real reason whatsoever. Although I was cleared nearly two weeks ago by the State Ethics Commission, no discussion has occurred in regard to my future. Today, I want to set the record straight that I do not support the actions of what I believe to be a failed administration and no longer desire to return to a position where I will again be forced to serve as a scapegoat for the inappropriate affairs and activities of others.
Over the past two years I have told myself that I was a "good soldier," and that I did what was asked of me by the Mayor I served. I believed that by working together we could have a positive impact on this City, embracing all that it has to offer. But that vision never materialized, and as I have always said, "Where there is no vision, people perish." I have no desire to perish along with Luke Ravenstahl's Pittsburgh.
It is clear to me that as long as I continue to fight to have my name restored by this administration, I will only be further tarnished by this culture of deception and corruption. I have stood by recently and watched as you personally retaliated against those who tried to support me, and I cannot allow others to be penalized for not understanding that, when it comes to Pat Ford, honesty is not appreciated.
I have worked for 20 years as a city planner, zoning official and planning consultant, and I, as I have said from the beginning, want to get back to work. However, it has become clear to me that I will not be able to continue my career in this town, and I hereby tender my resignation. I will contact Rob Stephany to make arrangements to remove all personal items from my office.
Sincerely,
Patrick B. Ford
CC: Luke Ravenstahl
Don Kortlantdt
First published on August 27, 2008 at 10:36 am
All I want to know, Mr. Ford is:
1. What happened the day the planning commission passed the plans for the Arena?
2. What happened the day the August Wilson home was supposed to go up for its Historic Designation (the first time)?
3. What else was being said when no one else was around?
Thanks.
Text of Pat Ford's letter of resignation as URA executive director
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
27 August 2008
Mr. Yarone Zober, Chairman
Board of Directors
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
200 Ross Street, 12th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2069
RE: Letter of Resignation Patrick B. Ford, Executive Director
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Dear Mr. Zober,
I am resigning from my position as Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (No. 6 of contract) effective the end date of my contract term. Per the term of my contract, I expect to be compensated for the remainder of 2008 (No. 3 of contract).
When I returned to work for the late Mayor Bob O'Connor, I believed that great things were about to happen in this City. I hoped for those same things when I was promoted by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Unfortunately, I have not seen that to be the case.
To this day, my wife and I are being persecuted with no support from the administration I served, for no real reason whatsoever. Although I was cleared nearly two weeks ago by the State Ethics Commission, no discussion has occurred in regard to my future. Today, I want to set the record straight that I do not support the actions of what I believe to be a failed administration and no longer desire to return to a position where I will again be forced to serve as a scapegoat for the inappropriate affairs and activities of others.
Over the past two years I have told myself that I was a "good soldier," and that I did what was asked of me by the Mayor I served. I believed that by working together we could have a positive impact on this City, embracing all that it has to offer. But that vision never materialized, and as I have always said, "Where there is no vision, people perish." I have no desire to perish along with Luke Ravenstahl's Pittsburgh.
It is clear to me that as long as I continue to fight to have my name restored by this administration, I will only be further tarnished by this culture of deception and corruption. I have stood by recently and watched as you personally retaliated against those who tried to support me, and I cannot allow others to be penalized for not understanding that, when it comes to Pat Ford, honesty is not appreciated.
I have worked for 20 years as a city planner, zoning official and planning consultant, and I, as I have said from the beginning, want to get back to work. However, it has become clear to me that I will not be able to continue my career in this town, and I hereby tender my resignation. I will contact Rob Stephany to make arrangements to remove all personal items from my office.
Sincerely,
Patrick B. Ford
CC: Luke Ravenstahl
Don Kortlantdt
First published on August 27, 2008 at 10:36 am
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)