Women’s Independent Press

Programs are held on Thursdays at 12:15 pm at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. They are free and open to the public.

October 4 Genealogical Resources in Western Pennsylvania
Marilyn Cocchiola Holt, MLS, Department Head
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department

Ms. Holt, a recognized authority in the field of genealogy, will introduce us to many sources of genealogical information in our area, including vital records, church and cemetery records, newspapers, city directories, and more. This information will be invaluable to anyone interested in beginning a genealogy research project.

.October 11 How the iPad Can Enhance Your Professional Career
Ida A. Joiner, Training Project Management Consultant, PNC Bank

What’s all the hype about the iPad? How is it being used? Where is it being used? Ms. Joiner, fresh from publishing iPad 2.0: Information Professionals Don’t Leave Home Without It, will discuss some of the iPad’s business apps that set it apart from similar devices, as well as why she won’t leave home without it!

October 18 Suze Orman’s Money Class: Learn to Create Your New American Dream
(DVD – 74 minutes) A PBS Special Presentation

Personal finance expert Suze Orman believes this is a critical time to evaluate many of the traditional strategies we’ve been using to realize our financial goals. In this DVD, she offers her thoughts about saving and investing, financing a college education, retirement planning and more that can help you get closer to achieving your own version of the American dream.

October 25 Considering Writing a Book?
Maryanne Barnes, Author and Lecturer

Ms. Barnes, author of “A Cat is Better Than a Boyfriend,” will be here to discuss the basic steps you need to know if you want to publish a book. She will offer sensible advice for first-time authors that will help them navigate this challenging process.

By Diana Fletcher

A new school year! You receive reminders about physicals, vaccinations, team sign-ups and after-school clubs.
Taking care of your children involves a lot of time, attention and planning. However, there is one more thing you need to do. You need to protect your child from the dangers that many times people don’t want to talk about.

Predators come in all shapes and sizes. Often, sexual abuse takes place in the home or a place where they frequently go, and the abuse is from someone you know and trust. Children may be told that they must keep the abuse a secret or their family will be killed or hurt or that they won’t be believed.

Commit to making time every day to listen to your child, pay close attention to their moods and open up conversations to all sorts of subjects, without judgment or punishment.
Make sure your child knows that they can tell you anything and you will protect them. They must never keep secrets about something that does “not feel right.” Children who are abused will suffer over and over again and are vulnerable to further attacks. They bear emotional scars that other predators will spot immediately.

Here are a few warning signs that something may be wrong in a child’s life:

1. Sudden change in behavior or grades

2. Expensive gifts being given to your child or teen

3. Dropping out of activities they used to enjoy

4. Fear or depression

5. For girls, a boyfriend considerably older

6. Suddenly not wanting to spend time with certain people without explanation

Children need to know that we are watching out for them. This goes for parents, aunts, uncles, teachers and everyone who comes into contact with children. We all have a responsibility to this most vulnerable group.

If you need help dealing with a situation, get help! Call the police, call rape hotlines, tell other people.

Do not let your own fear hold you back.

© 2012 Diana Fletcher

Diana Fletcher
Author of Happy on Purpose Daily Messages of Empowerment and Joy for Women
Author, Life Coach, Speaker
412 612-5977
www.thoughtsbydiana.com

Diana Fletcher
412 612-5977
www.thoughtsbydiana.com

October 3, 2012 Professional Development Day

Participate in a variety of professional development workshops.
Learn how to be a healthier, happier, bolder, more effective and
successful professional. Nine different speakers.

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Place: Gaetano’s Restaurant & Banquet Center, 1617 Banksville Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15216
Host: WIN-Pittsburgh, a NAFE Affiliate
Cost: Members-$60.00; Non-members-$75.00

RSVP/Info: Dawn Pomaybo, 412.963.6311 info@winpitt.org
For more info and to register, go to: http://www.winpitt.org/index_files/events.htm

October 6 Celebration & Blessing of the Animals in Pittsburgh

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Outside of
Journeys of Life
810 Bellefonte Street
Shadyside 15232

October 8 - Pittsburgh Professional Women Presents: Smart Marketing Tools for Business Success Dinner/Workshop - from 6-8pm
Special Guest Speaker: Pittsburgh Magazine Marketing Director Leah Gally Krenn - WPXI TV Studios - 4145 Evergreen Road Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214 (Just off of McKnight Road) PPW Members $35/Non Members $49
Register Online www.PittsburghProfessionalWomen.org

October 10 - “Freedom for Birth” Film Screening and Reception - 6:30pm at Pittsburgh Filmmakers Melwood Screening Room Event link: http://www.midwifecenter.org/default.asp?iId=GDLFHK

October 10 - Free Tele-Class October 10, 2012 at 8pm “How to Create a Publicity Plan for Your Business” The tele-class will be recorded, so if this topic interests you, please sign up using the link below.
Presented by Publicity Expert and Author Beth Caldwell with Global Tele-Class.

Class Description: Most companies and organizations do not need to hire a full time publicist, but you do need a plan. Having a good publicity plan is essential to be able to take advantage of media opportunities. On this intensive action-packed call, Beth will share with you her publicity tips that she’s developed over the past 12 years in her business.

Here are the complete details: TeleClass Title: How to Create a Publicity Plan for Your Business Date: 10/10/12 at 8:00 PM ET (New York Time) On this intensive and action packed call, Beth will share publicity tips and teach you to: Understand the stair-steps of media coverage - Position yourself as an expert and a resource for the media - Create your own personalized media list - Create an attention-getting media release - Create your individualized 12 month media plan So many of us miss publicity opportunities because we just don’t know how to take advantage of them. Join us so that you can learn to create the plan, and be ready when the media needs your expertise.

Tuition: No Cost
Register Online Here: http://www.globalteleclass.com/scripts/teleclasses.lasso?Dept=002

October 10 -
Brown Bag Lunch
12:00 – 1:00pm

Speaker: Gary Topolosky, Patent Attorney

Topic: Is my Intellectual Property protected?

Make the most of your intellectual property. Join us to understanding patent, trademark and copyright laws and the “revolutionary” changes coming to patent applications after March 15, 2013. Learn about the costs of coverage, the value of pursuing international patent equivalents and how to exploit one’s own intellectual property in licensing deals with competitors.

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

Business Exchange Networking Lunch

* Give a 1-2 minute commercial for your business.
* Bring business cards, brochures, and samples.
* Make new business contacts.

Four Dates and Locations:

Oct. 3 - Wexford, Atria’s, 12980 Perry Highway, Wexford
RSVP: email Michelle Zmijanac at
Michellezmijanac@bestpracticesdelivered.com

Oct. 10- Mount Lebanon, Atria’s, 110 Beverly Road,

Mt. Lebanon
RSVP: email Tina Noblers at

TinaNobers@CMNNutritionGroup

Oct. 17- Murrysville, Bella Luna Trattoria, 5060 William Penn

Hwy, Monroeville, Pa 15146
RSVP Carol@CarolBrineyWorkFromHome.com

Oct. 24- Fox Chapel, Comfort Inn (Old Holiday Inn) in RIDC

Park, Ohara Twp
RSVP: 412-781-8773 or PlanBConsultant@comcast.net

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 (Bring cash; No-shows will be billed for the lunch)
RSVP: By Monday prior to the event
For more info, go to: http://www.blxnetworking.com

The WSBA Network Lunch

A Networking Luncheon for Women Business Owners & Professionals
“Get Heard, Get Noticed, Get Leads”

A networking event open to any business woman who would like
to increase her business contacts/clientele. Our networking
format will be structured to provide participants with high
profile and networking. Bring 20-30 business cards/brochures,
cash for your lunch check, and be prepared to give a 60-second commercial about yourself.

Oct. 3 - 1:00 p.m. - Butler
Oct. 4 - 11:30 a.m. - Allegheny Valley
Oct. 8 - 1:00 p.m. - Beaver County
Oct. 10 - 11:30 a.m. - Shaler/Gibsonia
Oct. 12 - 1:00 p.m. - Robinson/Airport
Oct. 17 - 1:00 p.m. - South Hills

Oct. 18 - 1:00 p.m. - East End
Oct. 19 - 1:00 p.m. - Monroeville
Oct. 23 - 1:00 p.m. - North Hills
Oct. 24 - 5:15 p.m. - After Work (Mansions on Fifth Hotel)
Oct. 26 - 12:00 p.m. - Westmoreland

Host: Women’s Small Business Association
Fee: $2 meeting fee (plus the cost of lunch)
RSVP: Required (Note: Any “Yes” RSVPs who do not show
will be charged a $20 no-show fee.)

For more info and to register online: http://www.wsba.ws

October 11 - Day of the Girl - Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square - Pittsburgh - 6:30 PM - visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e6ewj5fl7f136129&oseq=  for additional information

October 11 - The Executive Women’s Council presents: Taking Care of you: A Recipe for Nutritional Well Being - Cost is $40 per member, $55 per non-member, space is limited, reserve early - 5:30 - 8 PM - visit https://ewcgp.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=formlogin&form=129367&return=L2luZGV4LnBocD9vcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzEyOTM2Nz9zZXJ2SWQ9Mzg4NSZvcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzEyOTM2Nw==   to register for this event

October 12 - “Alternate Dispute Resolution: How to Keep your Business out of the Courts” A CWE Breakfast Series - 7:30am-9:00am - Chatham University Shadyside Campus - Register online at www.chatham.edu/cwe or call 412-365-1253 for more information

October 13 - Women’s Expo of Greater Pittsburgh - 10AM-4PM - Monroeville Convention Center - $5 Admission - 10:00 Ribbon Cutting, reigning Miss Pittsburgh -12 Noon: Fashion Show/White House Black Market Exhibits, 50/50 Drawing, Chinese Auction and more - For complimentary group tickets call Lori Bridgett at 724-713-3310 or e-mail greaterpittsburghwomensexpo@gmail.com

October 13, 2012
A Second Saturday Divorce Workshop for Women is being held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Hampton Fields Village, 4480 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park PA 15101.

This workshop is for women who are contemplating or in the early to mid stages of the divorce process. This 4-hour information packed workshop is being taught by a family law attorney, a certified divorce financial analyst, and a therapist. This Second Saturday Workshop is an excellent supplement to professional advice and will explore the legal, financial and emotional issues of divorce to help women to achieve optimum results while saving time and money. Individuals will gain important knowledge and resources that will inform, prepare and protect them as they gain a greater understanding of the divorce process. Cost to attend is $35 per person and pre-registration is necessary to 724-493-9695

October 17, 2012 Tales from the Dark Side: Nightmare

Clients & How to Handle Them
Nightmare clients. As consultants, we’ve all had them. How do you handle them? What can you do to avoid them? How can you keep your consulting dreams from turning into nightmares?

Join your Pittsburgh Consulting Community peers as we share war stories about tough clients. No names and what we say there, stays there. Just the challenging situations and why they happened. But we won’t leave it at that. We’ll also do some peer consulting and come up with ideas on how to handle tough clients or avoid them in the first place.

Never had a nightmare client? Then join us anyway and learn from other’s hard knocks. As always, we’ll have plenty of time for
networking and snacking on Sigma’s great food. We’ll also have
a wine tasting.

Time: 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Place: Sigmas Conference and Event Center, 1717 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Host: Pittsburgh Consulting Community
Cost: $35
RSVP: Suggested by October 15th

Questions: contact Michael Couch at
michael@mcassociatesinc.com  or 412-952-9036.

Register online at:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=g9h94scab&oeidk=a07e6g77ac2ceaf1ef5

October 17, 2012
BizMix Networking Event at the Rivers Casino

Mix, mingle and network with Pittsburgh business professionals at BizMix, an evening networking event presented by the Business Times and c-hosted by the Pittsburgh Social Exchange. This is a great opportunity to meet and visit with Business Times editors and staff in an informal setting.

Reservations include:

* Delicious hors d’oeuvres and appetizers
* $10 in free play for pre-registered guests
* Chinese auction and door prizes

Early registration is strongly encouraged since we expect this
event to sell out at 300 guests. Plenty of free parking is
available at the Casino.

Time: 6:00 - 8:0 p.m.
Place: River Casino, 777 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh
(Rivers Banquet Room)
Hosts: Pittsburgh Business Times & Pittsburgh Social Exchange
Cost: $20- Business Times Subscribers; $35- Others
RSVP: Suggested by October 12
For more info, contact Kelli Komondor at 412-208-3845 or
komondor@bizjournals.com

October 18 - Disability Resource Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 AM

SPEAKER: Newlin Archinal, Wealth Advisor at Integrity Wealth Consulting, former WPXI-TV anchor and Arthritis Foundation Board Member and Melissa Kehl from the Arthritis Foundation

TOPIC: Working with Arthritis
Learn how self management helps control pain and keep you working despite having arthritis. Join us for a presentation about the chronic effects of this disease on 27 million Americans, how self-employment can and be your best option and what progress that the Arthritis Foundation is making today.
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

October 19, 2012
Think Big Forum: Embracing the Competition
Time: 8:00 am - Noon
Place: Chatham University Shadyside Campus

The Think Big Forum is a half-day forum that addresses current
issues of importance to businesswomen. Regional and national
speakers are brought in to provide key insights and experiences.

This year’s focus is on competition, and will feature the
following speakers:

Keynote Speaker: Chanda Bell, Co-Author of The Elf on the Shelf and Co-CEO
of Creatively Classic Activities and Books “Santa and his Elves vs. the Competition Grinch”

Other Featured Speakers:
Melinda Emerson, “How Social Media Can Be Your Secret Weapon”
Michele Fabrizi, president & CEO, MARC USA, “Formula for Growth:
Out-Thinking Your Competitors, Not Out-Spending Them”

Host: Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship,
Chatham University
Cost: $50.00 (Student Rate: $25 with valid student ID)

Register online at: http://www.chatham.edu/cwe
Or call 412-365-1253 for more information

October 22, 2012 Business Growth Expo
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place: DoubleTree Pittsburgh Downtown, One Bigelow Square
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Hosts: Pittsburgh Business Times and Pittsburgh Impact

Join the Pittsburgh Business Times, Pittsburgh Impact Initiative
and hundreds of local business professionals for our third annual Business Growth Expo. This business-building event will include expert local speakers, a business tradeshow and plenty of time for networking. Spend the day meeting fellow business executives, gaining valuable business-building information and getting motivated to increase and improve your business.

This year’s Expo will be focused on how large, medium and small companies in the region are building relationship that work.
High fuel prices and the difficulty in maintaining long-distance
relationships are encouraging large companies to search for local suppliers. Large Pittsburgh-based companies are taking the concept of “local” to a whole new level. Attend the Business Growth Expo to find out how your company can be a part of the local revolution.

There will be speakers and panel discussions in the morning and
a luncheon keynote speaker. The business tradeshow will be open the entire day and the speaker sessions will take place in an adjoining room. Regular admission includes the am speakers and panel only. The VIP admission includes access to all speakers, the business tradeshow, plus the luncheon with keynote speaker.

Cost: Regular Ticket - $39 (includes speakers & tradeshow)
V.I.P. Ticket - $79 (includes speakers, tradeshow,
luncheon & keynote speech)
Both tickets also include continental breakfast.
RSVP: Required
For complete info and to register, visit:
http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/event/59561#register  

October 20 - The U.S. Women’s National Team will face Germany in a match-up of the world’s top two squads at Toyota Park in Bridgeview III. The match is part of the Fran Tribute Tour, presented by Panasonic, and will kick off at 5:30 P.M. CT. See the stars of the 2012 London Olympic Games including Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach and Hope Solo. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0400492ED9965B52  to purchase tickets

October 27 - The College of DuPage will be the site of the first Illinois Women Veterans Fair, which is set to begin at 12 noon - Student Services Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. For more information and to register: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1108816221110-153/COD+Women+Fair+Agenda+9-2012+FINAL.pdf

www.standingfirmswpa.org

Partner violence happens at home, but it walks through your door at work.
Imagine, on any given day…
Somewhere, a marketing executive is “reading her email” behind a closed door. She has come to work after a long night of abuse, physical and emotional. Her “email time” is her transition time from being an abused wife, to a corporate leader.
Somewhere, a crane operator is angrily talking to his wife on the phone for the tenth time that morning when he fails to hear the frightened calls from his coworkers to “STOP!” He drives the crane into a fellow construction worker, critically injuring him.
Somewhere, a sales clerk at a popular clothing store spends her day distracted, looking out of the front window of the store fearfully watching for her ex-fiancé. She left him three days ago, ending their long, abusive relationship and this is her first day back to work.
STANDING FIRM: The Business Case to End Partner alerts employers to the human, safety and financial costs of partner violence on the workplace and workforce and arms them with tools for effective organizational action. Partner violence costs businesses, whether they know it or not, in terms of increased health care costs, decreased productivity, absenteeism, and the very real threat of a workplace violence event. And, just as importantly, it is the RIGHT thing to do!
The Need:
Partner violence (PV) is responsible for one-fourth of all workplace violence incidents.
More than ONE in FIVE full-time employed adults have been victims of PV and 64% of them indicated their work performance was significantly impacted.
48% of abusers surveyed report difficulty concentrating on work.
Partner violence costs companies $727.8 million in lost productivity and $5.8 billion in health-related costs per year.
More than 7.9 million paid workdays are lost each year due to PV.
What Employers Can Do:
Recognize the business case for addressing PV in their organization.
Respond by taking effective organizational action steps.
Refer to available community services.

What Joining STANDING FIRM Means:
By joining, your company is signifying that PV is a serious organizational concern. STANDING FIRM members have access to resources to help you and your company develop a best practices approach to addressing PV in the workplace, according to your company’s needs.
Available resources include:
A complementary half-hour Getting Started phone consultation
Workplace policy and procedure templates
Various training options for managers, security, human resource personnel and staff
Customizable communication templates
Over 160 employers in the southwestern PA region have joined STANDING FIRM. Members can be for profit, non-profit, governmental or educational. Sizes of employers range from very large to very small. Often, mistakenly, smaller employers think that the STANDING FIRM initiative doesn’t apply to them because they are very small in size. However, it is important to know that over half of PV-related homicides of female employees occur in workplaces with fewer than 20 employees. If employed victims do not know how you will respond to a PV-related issue or threat, they will not tell you what is happening to them. If your other employees don’t know how you’ll respond, they won’t tell you what they know or suspect until it is too late.

How To Join
Employers can join STANDING FIRM by going to www.standingfirmswpa.org  and click on Join Us.

By Yvonne Phillips
www.fengshuipublication.com

As time moves so quickly, we must discipline ourselves not only toward setting goals, but toward placing emphasis on assessment of our progress, re-evaluation where necessary and most importantly, reinforcement of primary objectives. How far have you come in your business plan, your household goals, and fulfilling your overall dreams. Whether you wish to raise your financial bottom line or enhance your relationships or potential for leisure, you are responsible for laying the groundwork for your own success and strategically positioning yourself for attaining your wishes.

When Feng Shui is applied in a home or office, the space for serendipity and flow is set. We approach FS with greater peace, health, wealth and harmony in mind. These topics are very important to all of us and should be considered when approaching any environment, however, the miraculous and most impacting occurs when you take a few moments to further define in the most specific way possible, that which you desire to manifest in your world. Once defined, do not eliminate the most obvious yet overlooked spot in your domain, the entrance to your home.

The entrance sets the tone and mood for your day each and every time you step over its threshold. By using FS colors and symbols, you will enhance your potential more specifically, and you will be able to further define your goals and realize them. For example, if increasing wealth is a focus, place the Chinese glyph for success on a wall ledge opposite your front door. Add a silkscreen or print of a cat, koi or ox, powerful symbols of wealth and success.

If you wish to amplify happiness throughout the year for yourself and those you love, use a scroll or painted wooden or metal letters that spell the word. Use objects that lift your mood and inspire as they greet you upon entering, reminding you of your goal and supporting your intention for yourself, your business and your life. These small steps act to recalibrate our overall state-of-mind if the day’s events or life situations have derailed our mood or distracted us from our intention. When we lose ourselves to the issues that occupy our brain and negatively influence our day, we essentially are “re-booted” or reset when we cross the threshold of our private space and are met with images which realign us with our true focus and highest intention.