Partner Update: AARP

From the AARP Pennsylvania E-News Monthly, October 2010:

AARP Launches Mobile Device Apps   

AARP recently launched its first foray into mobile content with the debut of four new digital apps. The new AARP app for iPhone and iPod touch enables AARP members to carry a digital version of their membership card, allowing them easier access to member benefits, activities and programs. AARP also introduced three separate apps for AARP The Magazine, AARP Bulletin and AARP VIVA that are available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users.

The AARP Apps are available for free at www.itunes.com/appstore. For additional information or instructions on how to access the mobile apps, visit www.aarp.org/mobile. 

Create The Good By Helping Military Families

Create The Good is where good people connect with opportunities to help communities in whatever way works for them. Nothing could be simpler.

• Every day, you can find new opportunities to do service in your community that fit your life and interests.
• For those of you who prefer work at your own pace, we’ve created Do It Yourself toolkits.

This month consider Helping Military Families. Deployed military members leave behind spouses, children and parents who must try to maintain life as usual while their loved one is away. Often, they are left to settle into a new community without the benefit of local family and friends. Giving a bit of your time can make a world of difference.

Visit CreateTheGood.org for more opportunities, tools and ideas to help improve your community.

VETERANS DAY DISCOUNTS 2010

From a community partner at the IRS:

Eat Free at Applebee's
Military veterans and active-duty Service Members will be able to eat free at any Applebee's across the U.S. on Veteran's Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. There will be six entrées available from the menu. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing a uniform in person. For more information about Veterans Day at Applebee's, visit the Applebee's website: http://www.applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx.

Military Eat Free at Golden Corral
Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 15, 2010, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. The free dinner meal is a special "thank you tribute" to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, or in the National Guard/Reserves, you are invited to join us for Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner. To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.2 million free meals and contributed over $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization. Website for more information: http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

McCormick & Schmick's Complimentary Lunch or Dinner
Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entree on Sunday, November 7. Some of the mouth-watering selections include Cashew-Crusted Tilapia, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Seafood Fettuccini Alfredo and Cedar-Planked Salmon. http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

Salute from Outback Steakhouse
As an expression of Outback Steakhouse's appreciation to our Country's veterans and active duty military*, a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage of choice (one non-alcoholic drink or one draft Anheuser Busch beer except where prohibited by law) will be available to them at every Outback in the country on Veterans Day. Please visit: http://www.outback.com/pressroom/pr_101018.aspx for details.

Home Depot and Lowe's Military Discount
Home Depot and Lowe's have long been known to offer a 10% holiday discount to military members and their families and in many cases veterans and retirees. These promotions were usually limited to the main military holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Well, no longer - both companies have announced these offers are available every day of the week.
http://themilitarywallet.com/home-depot-lowes-10-military-discount/

Fee Free Day at National Parks
To honor America's service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that areas managed by the department would not charge entrance fees on Thursday, November 11, 2010.

Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission
Colonial Williamsburg honors America's Veterans with a procession down Duke of Gloucester Street, 4:30 p.m., beginning at the Capitol. The parade culminates in a public ceremony, with militia and cannon crew firing volleys in recognition of those who serve. Hear Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums, and speakers from past and present. Active duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents enjoy free admission passes Friday through Wednesday, Nov. 6-11. Learn more
http://www.history.org/visit/eventsAndExhibits/calendar/index.

Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival | Call for Library Groups

A message from the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival:

The Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival is compiling a list with contact information of knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers who meet in the Greater Pittsburgh area and will publish it in our Festival Program for February 2011.  It occurred to us that many such groups may meet in the public libraries.  If such a group meets in your library please let them know about this opportunity to inform other like-minded individuals about their group.  If they would like to have their group published on the list or have any other questions about the list or the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival they can submit information or contact us at pghknitandcrochet @gmail.com or call 412-963-7030.

Partner Update: Neighborhood Legal Services Association

From Neighborhood Legal Services Association:

This past year, Neighborhood Legal Services Association received funding from the Pittsburgh Foundation to develop a resource manual to assist clients who are experiencing driver’s license problems address/overcome them. Over the summer, we convened a group of workforce development agencies to review a draft version of the driver’s license resource manual. We have since incorporated the feedback gathered during the review to finalize the manual and have also produced 3 companion brochures for you to use in helping clients address.

We are now making these resources available to you -- in electronic format. We believe workforce development professionals and case managers will find the Manual a valuable resource in their efforts to assist clients overcome driver’s license problems. The manual is very comprehensive and contains detailed explanations and instructions as well as sample forms used by PennDot. The brochures and FAQ sheet provide concise information in a simplified format that will be most helpful to clients.

These resources include:

• Get in the Driver’s Seat: A Guide for Getting, Maintaining & Restoring a Driver’s License in PA
• Brochure: PA Driver’s License How to Get a Driver’s License, Commercial Driver’s License, and Motorcycle License
• Brochure: PA Driver’s License Suspension – Causes for Suspension, Serving a Suspension, and License Restoration
• FAQ: Common Questions about PA Driver’s Licenses

These resources are available online on the www.PaLawHelp.org website where a new Drivers License and Professional License subtopic is now active under the Consumer and Employment topics. The materials are also available by clicking the links below:


Consumer: http://www.palawhelp.org/link.cfm?3176

Employment: http://www.palawhelp.org/link.cfm?3175

If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me or our new Employment Law attorney, Elizabeth Tuccillo, Esquire at tuccilloe@nlsa.us or via phone at (412) 586-6119.

Carnegie Museum of Art | André Kertész: On Reading ($2 Off)

The Carnegie Museum of Art will be featuring the exhibition, André Kertész: On Reading, beginning October 23, 2010 running through February 13, 2011.  Receive $2 off admission by presenting a library card from any Allegheny County library. 

André Kertész: On Reading includes photographs from the 1920s to 1970s that examine the power of reading as a universal pleasure and illustrate Kertész’s ability to capture the poetry and choreography of life in public and private moments.  Balanced between geometric composition and playful observation, these glimpses of everyday people and places show how Kertész forever changed the course of photographic art. This is the first exhibition of Kertész’s photographs to be shown in Pittsburgh.  Read the full press release.

Checks for Vets by Joseph Scott McCarthy

Author and veteran advocate Joseph Scott McCarthy recently spoke at the Older Adult Forum to share his expertise with local library staff and book Checks for Vets, A Guidebook to Help Wartime Service Veterans and Their Surviving Spouses Receive VA Pensions to Pay for Long-Term Care.   This valuable resource that you’ll want for your library is available through Ingram, Amazon, B&N, Joseph-Beth and more.  As was testified to at our meeting, this information can change lives!

Joe McCarthy is a veteran advocate with more than eight years’ experience working with Aid and Attendance and Housebound pensions. With the help of veteran service officers at the American Legion, county veteran service officers, and VA personnel, he has educated and guided thousands of veterans and their surviving spouses through the VA pension process. Joe has given numerous presentations explaining VA pension benefits to veterans’ organizations, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, hospital staff, social workers’ organizations, and lawyers who work with veterans.

Joe did his research for the book with the help of the Whitehall Public Library.  He regularly posts updates on his website, www.checksforvets.com and blog, www.checksforvets.com/blog. 

Joe also has some limited time to go out to speak give public presentations.  This is a great resource to share with a local partners!  (info@checksforvets.com, 877.249.8387)

ALCOSAN Community Meetings - October & November 2010

Below is forwarded from Joe Agnello, a consultant for Allegheny County Sanitary Authority. Just in case any of you needed this schedule to post.

Attached is an announcement about public meetings the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will be holding soon to present updated information about proposed solutions to sewer overflows. These meetings are part of the process of developing a Wet Weather Plan (a plan of corrective measures) that is to be finalized by 2013 and fully implemented by 2026. In all probability, this is going to be a multi-billion-dollar investment to modernize a critical piece of the region's infrastructure. Please use this attachment as you wish to help spread the word about these important meetings. Thank you for your consideration.

Thanks to Heather Anderson at the Community Library of Castle Shannon for sharing this information.