(April 26, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl greeted city employees and their children on Bring Your Children to Work Day.

(April 23, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl took the final steps today to create Pittsburgh’s newest regional park, the Grand View Scenic Byway Park. The process to develop the park sets the ton for future collaborations between the City and non-profit organizations.

Mayor Ravenstahl, who rapelled down the face of Grandview Avenue this spring with the Explorer’s club to help clean the most visible portion of this new park, realizes its importance to the region.

“We are the black and gold and green city,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “We recognize our natural assets are as important as our great sports teams. We are also aware of having to do more with less, ensuring that we continue our city’s fiscal recovery while providing tax payers with truly unique recreational parks to enjoy. We are doing this by building bridges with the non-profit community so that instead of competing for state resources, we are sharing these resources to make the Grand View Scenic Byway Park truly phenomenal.”

This new addition will be the first regional park south of the city of Pittsburgh, offering passive as well as active recreational green space to residents, and giving Mt. Washington’s 1 million visitors/year another reason to visit the world’s greatest view. The new regional park joins Frick, Schenley, Highland and Riverview Park as one of the nation’s best park systems.

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(April 20, 2007)...Mayor Ravenstahl joined members of the Hill District Community and Dr. Barbara K. Mistick, Director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) for the groundbreaking of CLP’s new Hill District location. The new CLP will continue to spur revitalization in the Hill District.

“With a 110 year history, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh remains one of the region’s most visited assets and an integral part of our continued vitality. I applaud CLP and am looking forward to opening the City’s first new library since 1980. We are thrilled to be on the cutting edge of new development and are looking forward to transforming this corner into a welcoming gateway to the community.”

Combined with the new construction of several large developmental projects, the Hill District is reestablishing its connection to Downtown Pittsburgh and will serve as a beacon for new business, visitors and residents.

(April 18, 2007)...Mayor Ravenstahl visited Manchester Citizens Corporation (MCC) today thanking them for their dedication and resolve in keeping their community safe and clean.

Virginia Barnes, board member of MCC thanked the Mayor for increasing police visibility on their streets and helping with Redd Up efforts.

The work of a community organization like MCC is all about paying attention to details. Cleaning vacant lots, fixing up vacant house, and improving public safety are what makes neighborhoods stronger. These things are often hard to raise money and support for, because they are not as glamorous as big development projects.

Over the past year, we’ve seen positive changes in Manchester. There were vacant lots that hadn’t been cleaned for fifteen years that the City came in with heavy machinery and cleaned up. Houses that were beyond the point of repair were torn down. Crime in Manchester has dropped significantly. Behind this action was a commitment by Mayor Ravenstahl to put neighborhoods first. The results speak for themselves here in Manchester.

(April 17, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced a new health care plan for City of Pittsburgh employees that will result in a savings for city taxpayers of $17 million over the next three years. The plan entails going to a single source health care provider and implementing a City-wide “wellness plan” for employees.

“We are continually searching for ways to deliver the best health care programs to City employees at the lowest possible cost,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “This new approach involves both implementing programs and initiatives that can improve the quality of health care, and finding the best providers to administer the City plans. Our goal is to better address the needs of all employees and family members, no matter what their health status.”

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(April 16, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl joined members of the Kiwanis Club and residents of Carrick, redding up hillsides and streets along McKinley Park.

(April 16, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl cut the ribbon at the city’s newest synthetic track and field complex available for public use: the Schenley Oval Sportsplex.

The $1.2 million facility in Schenley Park features a 400-meter all-weather track with state-of-the-art rubberized surface, two long-jump pits and a sports turf soccer field and high jump area within the running track.

“The new track is a great addition to our park system and is a state-of-the-art recreation amenity for the public,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “This new track and soccer field is a perfect example of our strategy to revitalize our neighborhoods through public/private partnerships. It provides people of all ages with new recreational opportunities in one of our most beautiful regional parks.”

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(April 16, 2007)...Mayor Ravenstahl kicked-off Earth Week at Phipps Conservatory, the most energy-efficient conservatory in the world. He was joined by Jeaneen Zappa, the Deputy Director of the Green Building Alliance, Richard Piacentini, the Executive Director of Phipps Conservatory and James Bogdan, the Manager for Green Building Initiatives for PPG Industries.

Mayor Ravenstahl spoke about his plan to move Green development in the City of Pittsburgh and in the region. Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority will be implementing the Mayor’s Green building agenda by providing financial incentives to businesses in Pittsburgh who go Green.

“To bring the Green movement in Pittsburgh full circle, it is important that we are manufacturing Green products right here in our region,” said Mayor Ravenstahl, “making Pittsburgh the black and gold and green city.”

James Bogdan of PPG Industries, a company that has been a leader in the Green movement, demonstrated how Solarban 70XL Solar Control Glass, an energy efficient glass used in Pittsburgh and throughout the world, dramatically reduces energy consumption of homes and commercial buildings.

The City of Pittsburgh is currently ranked third among U.S. cities in both the number of buildings and total square feet of certified green building space. Mayor Ravenstahl declared, “The slope of our Green Building Development is already very positive and soon it will sky rocket.”

(April 11, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl showed his support for the Penguins by declaring April 11, 2007 Pittsburgh Penguins Black and Gold Day and having a Penguins rally in the Allegheny County Courthouse courtyard. Hundreds of loyal Penguins fans were there to support the Penguins against the Ottawa Senators.

(April 10, 2007)...Mayor Ravenstahl announced the formation of the Propel Pittsburgh Commission, another step in his dedication in keeping Pittsburgh’s best and brightest. The Propel Pittsburgh Commission has already been approved by City Council and today the Mayor officially opened the nomination process. All City residents between the ages of 20 and 34 can submit applications through the Boards and Commissions page of the city’s Web site. Applications are due April 27th.

The Commission, Chaired by Mayor Ravenstahl, will consist of 35 members and be charged with the ardent task of developing new strategies to ensure that the City of Pittsburgh remains competitive to attract and retain our youth. The Commission will focus on specific areas of governance in which the City can effectively shape policies to hone in on the areas in which matter most to our young professionals.

“What better way to talk about those issues than having young people at the table, talking about issues that are important to us, and moving forward with aggressive agendas on the city government level,” said Mayor Ravenstahl.

Already, Mayor Ravenstahl has made steps to ensure the inclusiveness of qualified young professionals to the City’s boards, authorities and commissions.

(April 10, 2007)...Mayor Ravenstahl welcomed UPMC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey A. Romoff to announce UPMC’s agreement that will make the U.S. Steel Tower its new corporate headquarters, bringing over 2,250 employees Downtown.

“As one of our region’s top employers and corporate citizens, UPMC’s continued presence in Pittsburgh is vital to the health and well-being of our city,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “I am pleased that UPMC has chosen to keep its corporate headquarters in our hometown and appreciate the new role they will have in increasing the vibrancy and vitality of our central business district."

The new corporate headquarters will link the Downtown-Oakland hub, fostering new development as UPMC expands its national and international initiatives and serves to symbolize the growth of Pittsburgh’s Downtown as the central economic engine for the Mid-Atlantic region.

UPMC is the Pittsburgh regions largest employer, with 43,000 employees and $6 billion in revenue.

(April 10, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl joined Penguins Chief Executive Officer Ken Sawyer in the Hill District for the first official demolition of buildings that will make way for the new multi-use arena. During the ceremonial demolition, Mayor Ravenstahl talked about the upcoming Thursday meeting in which he and local leaders will meet with Hill District residents to work toward a plan in ensuring the community benefits from the $290 million dollar arena development.

”We are committed to the revitalization of the Hill District, said Mayor Ravenstahl. “After negotiating an arena deal to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh, my administration kept our promise to the citizens of the Hill District by providing 450 new homes in the $90 million dollar Oak Hill Project . We will continue to build our relationship with the residents of the Hill District by ensuring that they benefit from the new arena development.”

(April 5, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl played against Steeler celebrities, scored seven points.

(April 2, 2007)...Mayor Luke Ravenstahl welcomed Senator Casey for his first official visit as Senator to the Pittsburgh region, showing him Pittsburgh’s dramatic transformation from old steel town to a city with burgeoning medical and educational institutions. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's (UPMC) world-renowned Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Freddie Fu, showcased UPMC’s Sports and Rehabilitation Facilities in Pittsburgh’s South Side as the world’s health care mecca. Dr. Freddie Fu demonstrated the many specialized surgeries he and his team has performed on athletes from all over the world. UPMC’s medical and research team leads the world in research, technology and the treatment of several medical conditions. With state-of-the-art health-care facilities throughout Pittsburgh, UPMC is a vital catalyst for economic development throughout the region.

With a team of more than 43,000 employees, UPMC serves the health needs of more than four million people each year, improving lives in western Pennsylvania – and beyond – through redefined models of health care delivery and superb clinical outcomes. Additionally, UPMC ranks among the top ten in the nation for receiving National Institute of Health research dollars to continue to improve the healthcare for millions. The estimated economical impact on the region is over 11 billion each year.

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(April 2, 2007)...Mayor Ravenstahl joined the Boy Scouts of southwestern Pennsylvania to launch the 21st annual Scouting for Food drive in April, collecting food and household items for more than 120,000 residents served by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The Mayor started the food drive by making the first official donation, whole-grain cereal, peanut butter and fruit juice.

“We are proud to be a part of this great community fundraising effort for the Pittsburgh region,” said Mayor Ravenstahl. “I know all 3,000 City employees will again get out and raise awareness to this nationwide issue.”

Last year, the drive collected more than five million units of products, valued at $3.7 million, a 37% increase over the previous year. About one in five Pittsburgh residents live in poverty, including 41,000 children throughout the Pittsburgh region.

A focus of Scouting for Food is to increase the nutritional value of the food items donated. High protein food like tuna fish, canned beans and peanut butter are needed, along with high-fiber cereal, 100% juice drinks and canned fruit. Important non-grocery items include toilet paper, soap and toothpaste.

The campaign also includes a Virtual Food Drive. Instead of donating actual goods, contributors may visit the Food Bank’s web site, www.pittsburghfoodbank.org and give online via a secure link.

Boy Scouts of America, Greater Pittsburgh Council - serves 49,555 youth across southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Washington and parts of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. The Council’s mission is to help instill values in young people by building the cornerstone of their character in ethics, morality and commitment, while preparing them for life’s challenges. www.gpc-bsa.org

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - a member of America’s Second Harvest, is a nonprofit organization committed to eliminating hunger and developing collaborative strategies to encourage self-reliance in southwestern Pennsylvania. Distributing 19 million pounds of food per year to 350 member agencies, the Food Bank serves approximately 120,000 people, including 37,000 children. You can visit their site here.