Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival Grows Into Separate Weekend

English: The source of the Ohio River at “The Point” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The Allegheny River (left) and the Monongahela River (right) join to form the Ohio here. The West End Bridge crosses the Ohio in the foreground. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Like a maturing adult, the Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival is moving out on its own.

“At first, there was a natural synergy,” says J. Kevin McMahon of the first three years of the festival, when it was held on a weekend with the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. “But we found we were competing with ourselves.”

He is the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the organization that organizes the jazz festival. He has watched the festival grow during its first three years to the point where he and other planners decided it was time to move it to its own weekend — June 20 to 22.

It has drawn enough people — jazz fans, not simply strays from the arts festival — that it deserves to be on its own, he says. It adds another exciting weekend to the city, he says, and allows employees of the Cultural Trust to concentrate on the jazz festival rather than dividing their efforts.

Read more: http://triblive.com/aande/music/6252901-74/says-festival-locke#ixzz356TYLxQU
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Pennsylvania’s Stagnant 2013 Growth Has Political Repercussions

Map of Pennsylvania, showing major cities and roads (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pennsylvania’‍s economy stalled last year, according to a report from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Pennsylvania’‍s real gross domestic product, an indicator of general economic conditions, grew just 0.7 percent in 2013. Only three states and Washington, D.C., saw slower growth.

Pennsylvania was also out-performed by its neighbors, West Virginia and Ohio, which saw 5.1 and 1.8 percent growth respectively. West Virginia has now outgrown Pennsylvania for six straight years, and Ohio has for two. Even struggling New Jersey beat out the Keystone State, posting 1.1 percent growth.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2014/06/19/Pennsylvania-s-stagnant-2013-growth-has-political-repercussions/stories/201406190114#ixzz356R8ZzWX

York County’s Cherry Crop ‘Almost Non-Existent’ This Year, Growers Say

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A homemade cherry pie or a warm cherry pudding made with locally grown, fresh picked York County cherries might not be happening this year.

“Almost non-existent,” is the answer from local growers questioned about this year’s crop.

The bad news is there are almost no local sweet or sour cherries to be found.

Blame it on those two nights in April when the temperature dipped to 24 degrees.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_25986785/york-countys-cherry-crop-almost-non-existent-this

Local Services Tax Could Triple Under Act 47 Plan

HARRISBURG — People who work in Scranton and other distressed municipalities could see a $52 annual tax triple under a new Senate amendment.

Lawmakers want to steer Act 47 municipalities to levy a higher local services tax as an alternative to a commuter tax.

The distressed cities legislation cleared a first Senate hurdle Wednesday with a comprehensive amendment added by the Local Government Committee.

The committee’s action is the latest step in an effort to overhaul the Act 47 program for fiscally distressed municipalities. Scranton, Nanticoke, West Hazleton and Plymouth Twp. have Act 47 status. Shamokin is seeking to enter the program.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/tax-could-triple-under-act-47-plan-1.1705643

Allentown NIZ Job Fair July 17th

There will be a JOB FAIR for the new PPL Center Arena in Allentown on Thursday, July 17th at the Lehigh County Government Center from 1:00 pm until 6:30 pm.  The jobs are for the arena and food service employers.

There is also a workshop session TODAY, June 19th that will prepare candidates for the July 17th interviews.

Click here for all the details: http://www.scribd.com/doc/230298564/Allentown-NIZ-job-preparation-workshops-flier

The 23rd Annual Pottstown Rumble Is June 19-22 2014

The Pottstown Rumble is a 4 day fun-filled event – Thursday June 19 to Sunday, June 22, 2014. Along with amazing competition at all levels of the tournament, we also offer plenty of other activities. The Rumble starts off Thursday with the Pottstown Rumble Juniors Clinic hosted by 2 time Rumble finalist Eric Lucas, 2 time Rumble Champ Svetlana Simic, and indoor professional Remy McBain as well as other high level volleyball players and coaches serving as assistant instructors. Friday brings our Pottstown Rumble Juniors Grass Doubles Tournament. Saturday morning starts off with a bang with a beefed up fireworks show as over 2,000 players eagerly wait to start their day. Saturday afternoon brings Women’s Pro Finals to center court while the Men’s Pro division wraps up Sunday afternoon competing for the $5,000 first place price. There will be food and clothing vendors, an on-site massage therapist, and high-energy music throughout the weekend. All visitors welcome!!

All registrations are first come first serve! You will be notified prior to registering if you are NOT at the main field. Anyone registering after June 15 will be charged a late fee of $20 per entry, this includes walk-on’s if space is available. Walk-on’s will most certainly be playing on satellite fields.

PART Rumble Schedule

Free Pottstown Rumble shuttle service is available from PART. Click here for the schedule.

The website for the Rumble contains all the schedules and information you will need to know, click here: https://pottstownrumble.com/index.php