GREEN Fair to held at the Library

The Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club will be sponsoring a GREEN Fair at the library on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library. The all-day event will feature local businesses and organizations that can help community members live a greener and more sustainable life. At the fair, 19 vendors to date will showcase their products and/or services with small items for sale to persons attending the event. No registration is required to attend this free event.

Participants in the fair include:
•Adam Solar Resources
•Appalachian Botanicals
•Artemis Environmental
•Bean Catering and Building New Hope
•Cartridge World
•Cherry Valley Organics
•Conservation Consultants, Inc.
•Construction Junction
•Envirobikes
•Goose Creek Gardens, LTD
•Green Irene
•Isidore Foods
•Meals on Wheels
•Organic Personal Chef Service
•Pennsylvania Resources Council
•Poverty Hollow Naturals and Exotics
•SOLAR-TEC
•Southwestern Pennsylvania Commissions CommuteInfo
•VOX Energy Solutions

Along with vendor exhibits and displays, a Speaker Series will be on-going throughout the day. Registration is required to attend each speaker session as space is limited.

•Doug Oster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Backyard Gardener, will discuss "Grow Organic: Easy Steps to go Green in the Lawn and Garden" at 11:00 a.m. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

•Dr. Candy DeBerry, Associate Professor of Biology at Washington and Jefferson College, will present "Native Plants for the Home Landscape" at 12:30 p.m. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

•Faith Starr, local radio host of "Living Green with Faith" will discuss "Is Your Home Healthy?" at 2:00 p.m. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Please join us to learn more about "living green" from the many experts we have gathered for you. You will find information about reducing your energy bills, how and why to buy local foods, alternative transportation options, environmentally-responsible products for your home, and more. For more information about this event, email the Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club.

Developments in Egypt to be discussed at our library

In February 2011, the world watched in amazement as mass protests in Egypt brought an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s thirty years of authoritarian rule, and uprisings in Tunisia led to the deposition of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Protesters across the Middle East have taken to the streets to demand regime change, enhanced freedoms, and constitutional reforms in places like Algeria, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Iran.

On Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. David Holdridge, President and Founder of Bridging the Divide (BTD), will discuss his recent trip to Egypt, ongoing developments in the region, and the importance of supporting peace and justice organizations in the Middle East at the Peters Township Public Library. Register to attend online or call 724.941.9430. The McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 is providing support for this program, which is part of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2010-2011 program series.

David Holdridge is an expert in foreign assistance implementation with 30 years of experience providing executive leadership in non-governmental, humanitarian organizations in various countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and the United States. From 2005 to 2009, he was Regional Director for Mercy Corps' Middle East programs, responsible for Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Previously, he served in Iraq as Mercy Corps' Chief of Party for the Community Action Program. Prior to his term with Mercy Corps, Mr. Holdridge held a series of leadership positions with Catholic Relief Services and the Vietnam Veterans for America Foundation.

Bridging the Divide is an innovative non-profit, working to make the globe a safer, more just place. BTD features a model that directly connects the American Public to local grassroots organizations overseas working to bring peace and justice to their communities. Through social media and networking technologies, they facilitate dialogue, collaborate on advocacy efforts, and help the exchange of financial resources between Americans and on-the-ground organizations overseas. Using this unique approach, Bridging the Divide makes meaningful and sustainable advances in global security and justice.

PA Property Tax or Rent Rebate Help Available on March 7

A member of Senator John Pippy’s staff will be providing assistance to individuals completing their Pennsylvania Property Tax or Rent Rebate Application at Peters Township Public Library. Pippy staff member, Sharon DeNardo, will be at the library on Monday, March 7 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Individual sessions will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applicants should have proof of all income received in tax year 2010, including social security or railroad retirement benefits, pensions, annuities, interest and dividend income. Applicants applying for the first time must provide proof of age and proof of disability if appropriate. If the applicant received the PA 1000 application in the mail, they should bring the application with them. Home owners must provide proof that all real estate taxes were paid for the 2010 tax year and renters must have a completed rent certificate if possible, or proof of rent paid.

For questions, please call Sharon DeNardo at 412-262-2260.

Tom Atkins as "THE CHIEF"!

Veteran actor of the stage, screen and TV, Tom Atkins, will discuss his 44-year career in the theater and his preparation for the role of his lifetime portraying Art Rooney Sr. at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. Register for this program online or call 724-941-9430.

Mr. Atkins will perform one of the stories from “The Chief,” the one-man stage triumph about Rooney Sr., the legendary founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise. Audience members will then watch the part of the newly-released DVD, “The Chief,” including the story Atkins related. A question and answer session will follow the DVD viewing.

"The Gallery": A Photographic Exhibit by Peters Township High School Students

The Peters Township High School Photography Classes will exhibit their work in the main lobby of the Peters Township Public Library from February 24 through March 10 during library hours. "The Gallery" is a display of hundreds of student photographs from the classes and club at the high school. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 24 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Over 100 students contributed work for this exciting event. The Photography Club officers are: Chrisi Fagella, Jillian Eby, Jessica Kleja, Allie Schlafman, and Sean Sickmund. For more information about “The Gallery,” email the club sponsor, Erin Boni.

Planning for Profits Seminar Series

Managing Employees? Understanding Financial Statements? Marketing Extraordinaire? Business Strategy Formation? When starting your small business you probably didn’t realize you were signing up to be CEO, CFO, CMO and COO all at once!

The Peters Township Public Library, the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center, and PNC Bank want to help you manage all of the hats you wear with a special seminar series, “Planning for Profits.” This four–part program will help you look at your business from all angles.

Seminar One: February 24 - Marketing: Defining your customers, including targeting your customers and communications.
Seminar Two: March 24 - Financials: Understanding the financial condition of your business including cash flow planning and forecasting.
Seminar Three: April 21 - Operations: Understanding your operations including human resources and management control.
Seminar Four: May 26 - Strategy: How to position for future growth including strategic control and management control systems.

All programs are from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the library, with a cost of $30 per seminar or $100 for all four seminars. Register for this program by emailing lbiddle@katz.pitt.edu with your name and contact phone number. You may also register by calling 724-229-8078.

Is Your Home Healthy?

Are there unhealthy, toxic materials lurking in your kitchen, bathroom, and children’s rooms? Are your vet bills high because your animals keep getting sick? It could be a reaction to products you have in your home. Find out how easy it is to have a natural, healthy home for your family by attending “Is Your Home Healthy?” at the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, February 12 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Register to attend this free program by emailing the library or call 724.941.9430. This is a Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club program.

Local radio host Faith Starr will use all the diverse components of her comprehensive background to offer valid, usable tips for living a healthy, organic, and green lifestyle. She will share her knowledge about where to obtain healthy food in Western Pa - without breaking the bank. She is passionate about helping you find the hidden toxins in your own home environment. Faith Starr is in her fourth year of talk radio and is the host of "Living Green with Faith," which can be heard on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. on 620 AM WKHB radio on WKHB in Pittsburgh.