August, 2011 Digital 6

“Dark Knight” Starts Shooting

The stage is set as ―The Dark but told the Pittsburgh Tribune- According to a joint press release Knight‖ begins filming. Review’s Mandy Hofmockel that issued with the city, the Pitts- he’s ―had friends who filmed here burgh Film Office (PFO) reports Director Christopher Nolan’s before, and all had good experi- that production will begin in Oak- third entry in his adaptation of the ences.‖ Nolan told the press that land before moving to other loca- classic comic book is shooting Pittsburgh’s architecture was a tions including Downtown. One key scenes in Pittsburgh, one of a key selling point in choosing the important scene will be filmed at group of locations being used city. Heinz Field on August 6 for a across the globe. Filming began fictional football game. Down- earlier this year in India. Roads and buildings will be town streets being affected are closed in Downtown, Lawrence- those in the Smithfield Street vi- At a July 28 press conference, star ville and Oakland with shootings cinity where fake snow will be Christian Bale admits that he has scheduled Wednesdays through used to create winter scenes. Up- never been to Pittsburgh before Sundays to minimize disruptions. dated street closings are being But the results are expected to posted online by the Pittsburgh benefit Pittsburgh’s economy. Downtown Partnership at Inside This Issue The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s www.downtownpittsburgh.com Barbara Vancheri quotes Mayor The August Wilson Page Luke Ravenstahl: ―For every one ―The Dark Knight Rises‖ --- Center admits to dollar that’s invested in film pro- which is also being called large debt 2 duction, our city sees approxi- ―Magnus Rex‖ --- is scheduled for mately $118 in direct spending.‖ a July 2012 release. Crew and Eric Shiner is Page casting information is available at named director of the PSO’s web site at Warhol Museum 4 www.pghfilm.org A local web show Page goes national on Syfy.com 9 deRoy Gruber Dies Considered one of the shining Among her creations is 21-foot WQED and Pitts- Page lights in Pittsburgh’s arts commu- long by 18-foot tall sculpture burgh Zoo launch nity, Aaronel deRoy Gruber died called Steelcityspace. Completed new partnership 12 July 6 at the age of 92. in 1977 and for years on display at the City-county Building, it Gruber explored various media in will become a key part of Mellon a career that spanned seven dec- Park’s developing sculpture gar- Pittsburgh ades, including photography and den. A&E Group sculpture to even fashion design. 643 Liberty Avenue Suite 401 She exhibited at world-class gal- Pittsburgh, PA 15222 leries in New York and Boston as Ph (412) 325-7070 well as Pittsburgh. Fx (412) 325-7069

www.james-richards.com | www.pittsburghaebook.com Pittsburgh Applause 2 August, 2011 Center’s Huge Debt Squonk As they requested operating funds cost of this facility is $750,000 a from the Allegheny Regional year. That’s a hard pill to swal- Gets Voted Asset District (ARAD), the appli- low.‖ It is currently working with cation by the August Wilson Dollar Bank and other lenders to Center for African American restructure a line of credit so that Off TV Culture includes a stunning fig- it will be allowed to receive a ure: $9 million in debt. major grant. Should the grant and It seems America may have tal- outstanding pledged contributions ent, but little taste for the eccen- come through, it will cut the debt tric. by more than a third.

Guess also tells Pitz that the cen- ter is looking for a donor to con- Local troupe Squonk Opera was tribute $1 million for the naming voted off of the popular TV series ―We’ve had our fair share of chal- rights to its theatre. That, too, will ―America’s Got Talent‖ during lenges,‖ the center’s Andre Guess reduce the debt. the July 13 telecast with judge told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Piers Morgan calling their act Marylynne Pitz. ―The operating ―what I imagine hell is like.‖

Squonk Opera began in the 1990s in, of all places, a junk yard. Since then, composer Jackie Trust Fails To Block Dempsey and artist Steve O’Hearn have worked with a regular ensemble to create post- Strip Club Expansion industrial performances with original music, design and stag- ing. An attempt to block the expansion ―totally nude with a full service of a strip club in the Pittsburgh bar.‖ The club also offers private Last year’s ―America’s Got Tal- Cultural District has failed. dances, VIP rooms and even an amateur night each month. Play- ent‖ runner-up was 11-year-old boy cover model Bree Olson ap- Pittsburgh singer Jackie Evancho, On July 21, an peared during the last weekend in who has since become a national Allegheny July. Blush’s owner, Albert Bortz, draw and will appear in concert at Common Pleas says that he was to make the club the Benedum Center this fall. judge ruled that more of an entertainment com- the Pittsburgh plex. Cultural Trust (PCT) and the city’s school district could not Among the points the judge made prove irreparable harm should the was that Blush existed at its loca- exotic club Blush expand to Penn tion before CAPA was built, and Avenue as planned. Blush is just a that the school district chose a site The few steps away from the Pitts- next to a strip club. burgh High School for Creative & Pittsburgh Performing Arts (CAPA) and its Meanwhile, a group of law firms A&E Book approximately 800 teenage stu- have pledged over $1 million to dents. the PCT to help it fill budget gaps www.pittsburghaebook.com left by drops in foundation and Blush claims on its web site to government support. The group have ―the area’s most beautiful has promised to pay $250,000 a dancers‖ along with ―nationally year for the next five years. known feature acts‖ who are www.james-richards.com | www.pittsburghaebook.com Mustard Seed Productions When you can’t afford an ON-SET costumer, why not hire an ON-LINE costumer!

Experienced costume designer, supervisor and dresser Lisa Bruno provides independent filmmakers, community/school theatre departments, students, advertising agencies, music video producers and other clients with quality costuming within their budget.

She’s available for both on-set and on-line services! Web Site: www.mustardseedproductions.biz Email: [email protected] Online CV: lisamariebruno.webstarts.com Facebook: facebook.com/lisamariebruno.msp Twitter: www.twitter.com/wardrobebabe LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/lisa-marie-bruno/12/9a7/77s Lisa Marie Bruno Mustard Seed Productions PO Box 99483 Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Lisa Treats Every Production Like An Award Winner! Pittsburgh Applause 4 August, 2011 New DUQ Hopes To Double Audience The new owners of WDUQ-FM As a jazz station, Cato reports, tion of information to many email have a plan --- to double the sta- WDUQ averaged roughly addresses. Listserves have been used tion’s audience with its new, news 145,000 listeners each week. But for at least 20 years since the web’s format. with the success of the news & formative days as a broad communi- cation tool – ed. James A. Richards]. information format at other public PubRadio is now expanding into stations across the country, EPM online programming, the first thinks the station’s audience being PubJazz to be located at could grow considerably, perhaps www.pghjazzchannel.net. to 300,000.

Chuck Leavens, one of those for- ―We think the potential is there, if Meanwhile, a group of former mer staffers, told the Pittsburgh not to double the listenership, WDUQ staffers have launched a Post-Gazette’s Adrian McCoy then to go over 200,000 to new online Pittsburgh channel that the goal is ―preserving the 225,000 listeners per week,‖ scheduled to launch this month incredible jazz history and leg- WYEP-FM General Manager through PubRadio. acy‖. He calls the collaborative Lee Ferraro told the Pittsburgh project as ―a once-in-a-lifetime Tribune Review’s Jason Cato. Established in 1991, PubRadio is opportunity.‖ WYEP is co-owner of Essential a free service provided for public

Public Media (EPM), which radio personnel throughout the The site suggest using Quicktime, bought WDUQ from Duquesne country operating a listserve [A iTunes, Winamp, Realplayer or University and dropped the jazz listserve is an electronic mailing list format July 1. that allows for widespread distribu- VLC on the computer and recom- mends the Streams player for iPhone. Eric Shiner Named Bogut New Warhol Director Honored Eric C. Shiner has been named as says in a press release. ―Since director of the Andy Warhol Mu- joining the Warhol, Eric has dis- Pittsburgh radio legend Jack seum, part of the Carnegie Muse- tinguished himself not only for his Bogut is being regarded as just ums of Pittsburgh. knowledge and connoisseurship that --- a legend --- with his up- of the art of Andy Warhol, but for coming induction into the Broad- his passion about the cultural out- casters Hall of Fame. reach that Warhol’s world extends The 39-year-old New Castle na- to audiences of all kinds.‖ Begun in 1982 as the Radio Hall tive has en extensive experience of Fame and renamed in 1990 to as a curator, professor, writer and Meanwhile, the Carnegie Mu- include television, the organiza- even translator primarily with seum of Art has announced that is tion memorializes the Golden Age New York City institutions. He has acquired two masterworks by of broadcasting and to promote Bakewell, Page & Bakewell. The furtherance of the art of broad- has worked at the Warhol since th 2008 and has been functioning as 19 century Pittsburgh firm had casting. To be eligible for induc- created china for President James acting director since January. tion, a candidate must have made Monroe, the nation’s fifth presi- a significant contribution to the ―In Eric Shiner, Carnegie Muse- dent who served from 1817 to industry. ums has appointed a director who 1825. The items are two cut glass is at once scholarly and refined, decanters engraved with the Great Bogut and other honorees will be yet populist and welcoming,‖ Seal of the United States and part inducted at a ceremony in Akron of a 340-piece set commissioned Carnegie CEO John Wetenhall in November. for the White House.

www.james-richards.com | www.pittsburghaebook.com Pittsburgh Applause 5 August, 2011 CBS Wins New Media Award CBS Corporation’s efforts at lineup and offers video clips, mimics the computer consoles utilizing new media has garnered photo galleries, behind-the-scenes seen on the ―Star Trek‖ series. it a 2011 Meffys Award for Best info, trivia, polling and sharing to Mobile Web Site. social networks.‖ In other news, CBS has reached a tentative agreement with the In- CBS Corporation and ternational Brotherhood of have also announced a new two- Electrical Workers (IBEW) that year, non-exclusive international covers roughly 2,800 technicians. licensing agreement that will en- The contract includes a 2.5% pay In Pittsburgh, CBS Corporation able certain CBS shows to be increase and more flexible work- owns two television and four ra- streamed instantly to Netflix sub- ing conditions. IBEW members dio stations. The Meffys are the scribers in Canada and Latin are expected to ratify the agree- most established and coveted America. CBS also announced a global awards in the mobile media new non-excusive streaming industry. This year’s winners agreement with .com. were announced at an event in London on July 7. And in what may be the most fun new media news, CBS has Join our group on ―We’re thrilled to be given this launched an official ―Star Trek‖ recognition,‖ CBS Mobile’s Rob app to provide fans of the iconic Gelick says in a press release. TV franchise with fun, interactive ―The CBS.com mobile site pro- features including a screen that vides a rich, anytime-anywhere companion to our broadcast

Photos Celebrating Pittsburgh’s ARAD Images Arts/Entertainment History & Community News More than 100 groups are request- ing grants from the Allegheny Regional Asset District for 2012.

The Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD) is a special pur- pose area-wide unit of local gov- ernment that was support and finance regional assets in the ar- eas of libraries, parks and recrea- tion, cultural, sports and civic facilities and programs. ARAD receives one-half of the proceeds from the 1% county sales tax.

Sales tax revenue has been rising and, ARAD chief David Donahoe A couple of guests at the July 8 Roaring 20s Bash really got into the spirit with period costumes. The event, held at the Allegheny Elks Lodge, starred the Pittsburgh Banjo Club to help local author and arts told the Pittsburgh Tribune- entrepreneur James A. Richards (publisher of Pittsburgh Applause) and his projects. Richards and his Review’s Bill Zlatos that he ex- friend, Lisa Marie Bruno are pictured at right. Bruno has extensive experience in wardrobe for film, TV and stage —- although the couple provided their own outfits. pects an increase in capital pro- jects. For more information, visit To have an image considered, email Jim Richards at [email protected] www.radworkshere.org. www.james-richards.com | www.pittsburghaebook.com Happening In August

The National Wheel- Stage AE wraps up a Lyle Lovett leads his MON chair Games spin out SUN hot weekend with jazz TUE band at Stage AE for of control at the 7 fusion group Return 23 a wonderful evening 1 Lawrence Conven- To Forever. of multilayered mu- sic. tion Center The Ampitheatre At WED Station Square rocks TUE The Benedum rocks with Stone Temple SAT The annual Shadyside out with the legen- 10 Pilots. Arts Festival bright- dary musical ―Jesus ens up Walnut Street 2 27 with an eclectic col- Christ Superstar‖. Stars from TV’s lection of creativity. WED ―American Idol‖ per- Sample some of the WED form at Consol En- great food created by More football: the 10 ergy Center. SAT 3 the restaurants of Steelers are chal- Station Square in a lenged at Heinz Field 27 by the Falcons. fundraiser for the Humane Society. THU A variety of scenes and monologues from WED The very sexy Josh 11 August Wilson’s un- Phipps Conserva- Groban performs pop forgettable plays are SUN tory’s annual festival songs with that amaz- for all things tomato 3 ing, operative voice staged in a mini festival at the August 28 Wilson Center. and garlic happens of his at Consol Energy Center. today. Bring your taste buds —- and It’s official: there will breath mints! THU One of Mozart’s best THU be football, and to operas, ―The Mar- prove it the Pittsburgh Members of Cre- riage of Figaro‖ bows 11 TUE 4 Steelers take on the dence Clearwater big at Pitt’s Belle- 30 Revival perform field Hall. Eagles in a preseason game tonight at some of that legen- Heinz Field. Stage AE stars an dary band’s most famous songs at FRI Ampitheatre At Station Square. impressive weekend FRI Superstar Britney 5 of concerts with Spears lets her hair country music star down at the Consol WED Grammy nominated Trace Adkins. 19 Energy Center. band Incubus per- forms alternative rock 31 at Stage AE. SAT On the next night, SAT More then 20 four- Stage AE welcomes person teams have a 6 lush rockers Death 20 ball at the Heinz Re- Cab For Cutie. gional History Center for their annual bocce tournament. Meanwhile, home- SAT town boy Wiz Khalifa raps at Am- 6 pitheatre At Station Square.

The City’s Best Online Calendar Can Be Found At www.post-gazette.com/events National/World A&E News Round-Up Singer Amy Winehouse Dies Grammy Award winning Eng- British Sky Broadcasting known for the cable series ―Royal lish singer/songwriter Amy (BSkyB). News Corp is BSkyB’s Pains‖. The company plans to Winehouse died on July 23 by largest shareholder. make the soaps the anchor for a undetermined means. She was new online network. 27. However, members of the com- mission are unhappy with James However, there remains many Born in North London to a Murdoch’s testimony and are ex- unanswered questions including family of Russian-Jewish de- pected to recall him for more how the network and shows will scent, Winehouse received her questions. An investigation has be financed: will there be adver- first guitar at the age of 13. also begun in the United States to tising, a subscription fee or both? She continued to develop her see if any such hacking occurred According to the New York Post, talent, becoming known for here as well. both shows are expected to retain performing an eclectic mix of the same cast, crew and talent and musical genres including Scandal on an Operatic Scale remain the same length. At press R&B, soul and jazz with her There are scandals rocking this time, Prospect Park was still lin- powerful deep contralto voice. side of the Atlantic too, as the ing up financing for the new net- Her 2006 album, ―Back to troubled New York City Opera work. Black‖ won her five Gram- faces more hurdles in its contro- mys. versial plan to leave its long-time Saddle Suds home at Lincoln Center. Speaking of classic soaps, the Unfortunately, during the Emmy Award winning ―Dallas‖ is same period she struggled The latest involves the unions, getting revived. with substance abuse and de- who are now claiming that the pression with periods of vio- move violates the terms of a gift Turner Network Television lent mood swings and heavy by the founders of Reader’s Di- (TNT), part of Time-Warner has drug use. Some theorize that gest that makes up the bulk of the ordered 13 episodes to be aired this history may have contrib- company’s endowment. next year. Many of the original uted to her death. cast members will be returning, The New York Times reports that a although the focus will now shift Album sales soared when her complaint has been filed with the to the children of characters JR, passing made news. New York State Attorney Gen- Sue Ellen and Bobby Ewing. eral’s office regarding the move Is That Hacking We Hear? and use of the gift’s funds. The ―Dallas‖ is one of television’s The scandal at News Corpo- unions are also concerned that the longest running and most during ration, owner of the Fox move will endanger benefits and series. It and ―Peyton Place‖ are Television Network among job guarantees. they only prime time soaps to other assets worldwide, con- have won major Emmy Awards. tinues. Making New Suds They have now been uncanceled: CEO Rupert Murdoch and his the soaps ―All My Children‖ and son James made an appear- ―One Life to Live‖ have found a ance at a special UK parlia- new home on the web. mentary commission looking into reports of illegal phone ’s hacking by one of New Corp’s ABC Television Network an- British newspapers (which has nounced earlier this year that they seen been shut down). Several were dropping both shows in fa- people have been arrested. vor of cheaper programming. The The scandal forced Rupert news stunned fans. They have Murdoch to drop a long-time now been licensed to Prospect dream: to buy out the rest of Park, a best Embrace The Sweetest Music In The World!

The acclaimed Pittsburgh Banjo Club brings the sweetest music in the world to the Allegheny Elks Club on the city’s north side every Wednesday —- and at your event, fundraiser or festival.

For more information, visit www.thepittsburghbanjoclub.com or call Frank Rossi at (412) 364-4739. Pittsburgh Applause 9 August, 2011 NBC Changing Online Strategy It is a question that is getting al- ditional content that further en- Entertainment. She has worked most as old as the internet: how gages them in our shows.‖ She for several years at News Corpo- does a traditional media company describes it as ―a change in strat- ration’s 20th Century Fox Televi- make the most of the web? For egy.‖ sion. During her tenure at Fox she NBC Universal, the route in- played a key role in the develop- cludes the surprise closing of the To that end, the company has ment of hit series like ―Glee‖. company’s well-regarded digital reached a new deal with Netflix to has also announced the studio. provide more programming adoption of ―dynamic ads‖ in through the service. It has also video-on-demand programming, launched a new web site at which allows ads to be easily www.nbcuniversalarchives.com changed at almost any time. to offer ―a lifetime of radio re- cordings and moving images, NBC Universal is owned primar- capturing over 70 years of the ily by Comcast, which operates people, places and events that 20s Bash Pittsburgh’s cable television fran- define our society and our world.‖ chise. Customers of the site can pur- chase copies of recordings like the Really ―Going forward we plan to focus 1945 radio news report on Frank- our digital efforts and investment lin Roosevelt’s death or clips Roars on content that’s supportive of our from ―Saturday Night Live.‖ on-air programs,‖ Advertising Age The Pittsburgh Banjo Club quotes a company spokeswoman, In other news, Jennifer Salke has wailed and the Allegheny Elks ―providing our audience with ad- been named president of NBC Lodge rocked on July 8 for The Roaring 20’s Bash, a fundraiser for local author and arts entrepre- Locally Made Web Show neur James A. Richards.

Richards has been an actively Goes To Syfy and vital asset to Pitts- burgh’s arts/entertainment com- The locally made online series According to the official show munity for more than 20 years, ―The Mercury Men‖ made its web site, ―The Mercury Men‖ is working for various organizations debut on Syfy’s web site on set in 1975 Pittsburgh and center s and running several independent July 25. on Edward Borman, ―a lowly projects. Among these is The government office drone, finds Pittsburgh A&E Book profes- himself trapped, when the deadly sional directory men of Mercury seize his office (www.pittsburghaebook.com) and the newsletter Pittsburgh Ap- building as a staging ground for plause. Director/writer Chris Preksta --- their nefarious plot. Aided by who lives in Whitehall --- Jack Yaeger, a daring aerospace Shortly after the funeral, his fa- launched the show at engineer from a mysterious or- ther’s life insurance policy check www.mercuryseries.com before ganization known as The League, was stolen by one of Richards’ moving over to www.syfy.com. Edward must stop the invaders neighbors, who was caught and Syfy is one of the cable channels and their doomsday device, the arrested. The alleged thief, Robert of NBC-Universal, which is pri- Gravity Engine.‖ A total of ten Paul Moore, committed suicide on marily owned by Comcast which episodes have been produced so June 27. operates Pittsburgh’s cable fran- far. chise. As of press time, Richards had

still not received restitution nearly four months since the theft. www.james-richards.com | www.pittsburghaebook.com Pittsburgh Applause 10 August, 2011 PSO Names New Concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley has been of the PSO and is a truly exciting the 2008-09 season to just $1 mil- named concertmaster for the choice.‖ WQED Multimedia has lion the following year. Pittsburgh Symphony Orches- posted an interview with the new tra (PSO) to succeed the retiring hire on YouTube, which can be Meanwhile, the PSO and WQED Andres Cardenes as the sym- seen at http://www.youtube.com/ have announced that support from phony continues to face serious watch?v=v7T11TebTZY the Bayer Corporation will al- financial challenges. low the well-regarded ―Pittsburgh The appointment comes as reduc- Symphony Radio‖ series to be tions in state funding and fair available to public radio stations ticket sales are hitting the PSO 52 weeks a year. Taped by hard. According to a report pub- WQED and hosted by Jim Cun- lished on July 19 by the Pitts- ningham, the program is distrib- burgh Tribune-Review’s Bill Zla- uted by Public Radio Interna- A native of Asheville, North tos, the orchestra has lost about $3 tional. Carolina and just 27-years-old, million since 2009. Ticket prices violinist Bendix-Balgley has won may rise as a result. ―My expecta- international prizes at competi- tion is it’s going to take approxi- tions in Brussels, Paris and mately three years to get back into Fermo, Italy. ―Noah is a confi- a balanced budget,‖ Tamburri told The dent, natural leader and an excel- Zlatos. He doesn’t know when lent fit for this orchestra,‖ PSO tickets will rise or by how much. Pittsburgh President Larry Tamburri said in a The biggest quandary facing the press release. ―He joins the tradi- PSO is the cut in state funds, A&E Book tion of exemplary concertmasters which went from $2.5 million in www.pittsburghaebook.com Pittsburgh Applause 11 August, 2011 New Group To Fight AFTRA Creative Theft Keeps A new effort is being made by the According to a Creative America creative community to combat press release, global theft of mov- Reardon content theft. ies and television shows has al- ready cost more than 140,000 jobs Roberta Reardon has been re- in the US. One of the organiza- elected as national president for tion’s first goals is the passage of the American Federation of That effort is being made by a legislation that it believes will Television & Radio Artists coalition of unions and corpora- significantly impact theft. Called (AFTRA). tions including those with strong the Protect IP Act, the proposed Pittsburgh ties: the American law would authorize the US. Jus- AFTRA members Federation of Television & Ra- tice Department to combat foreign work as actors, dio Artists (AFTRA), CBS Cor- trafficking in stolen intellectual broadcasters, sing- poration, International Alliance property. of Theatrical Stage Employees ers, dancers, announcers, disc (IATSE), NBC Universal and the ―People need to understand that jockeys and other entertainers. It Screen Actors Guild (SAG) this isn’t a victimless crime,‖ the has hundreds of members in among many others. Together press release quotes a craft service southwestern Pennsylvania and they have formed Creative owner. ―When movies and TV get operates a full office in downtown America, a new organization to stolen, it hurts me and everyone I Pittsburgh. AFTRA is currently in provide a unified voice for the work with.‖ More information is merger talks with the Screen Ac- millions of people across the available online at tors Guild (SAG). country that make their living www.creativeamerica.org through their creativity – be it The union has also ratified a new film, music or some other form. 3 ½-year videogame contract and the board has approved proposals for sound recordings and network IATSE, In New Deal television contracts.

A new three-year agreement has German conglomerate Bertels- been reached between the Inter- mann. Join our group on national Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and The agreement covers programs Freemantle Media North America produced for network and basic (FMNA). cable, including ―American Idol‖ and ―America’s Got Talent.‖

IATSE has a full ―We are pleased to enter into this chapter in Pittsburgh long-term relationship,‖ IATSE’s with hundreds of Matthew Loeb said in a press re- The members working on various film lease. ―This new enhanced agree- Pittsburgh and television projects. They ment underlines our commitment work in areas as diverse as scenic to working with Fremantle Media A&E Book painting and animal wrangling. North America on some of the www.pittsburghaebook.com FMNA is a division of Freemantle biggest programming brands on Media, a British production com- television.‖ The contract estab- pany owned by RTL Group lishes parameters across all pro- which is itself controlled by the grams.

www.james-richards.com | www.pittsburghaebook.com Pittsburgh Applause 12 August, 2011 QED & Zoo Partner Weather In a unique partnership, WQED to scan codes at select places to Multimedia and the Pittsburgh gain access to relevant informa- Changes Zoo & PPG Aquarium have tion provided by the Public announced an innovative new Broadcasting Service (PBS) re- There have been some very visi- education program. garding the animal on view. This ble staffing changes at Cox En- involves animals in three distinct terprise’s Pittsburgh station, Pittsburgh Zoo habitats: the Afri- WPXI-TV. can Savanna, the Polar Ice Caps and Tropical Forests. The content appearing on the device will be multimedia, including videos, Long-time meteorologist Julie audio clips and pictures as well as Bologna left the station as of July text. The program is called iQ Zoo and 13 citing a work schedule that conflicted with her family’s it is designed to educate children Zoos across the nation will be and families about animals, habi- needs. In article by the Pittsburgh able to participate, thanks to fund- Post-Gazette’s Maria Sciullo, tats and careers using engaging ing from the Corporation for multimedia content, both at the Bologna said that the station did Public Broadcasting among try to accommodate her but it zoo and online. other supporters. There is also a simply didn’t work out. complimentary web site at A press release issued July 7 ex- www.iqzoo.org plains that zoo visitors can use an She has been replaced by Steven internet-connected mobile device Cropper, who was with Hearst Corporation’s WTAE-TV until April. Pittsburgh Applause Editorial A Very Public Thank You

By James A. Richards teriously failed to show up. The As of this writing, restitution still insurance company discovered has not been made on the stolen In lieu of my usual editorial, I just that someone else had deposited money and I welcome any addi- want to write a very public thank the check at a PNC Bank ATM, tional support Pittsburgh’s arts/ you to the Pittsburgh Banjo Club falsely claiming I had endorsed it. entertainment community can and the Allegheny Elks Lodge for The deposit was so suspicious that provide. graciously volunteering for a PNC did not clear the check and fundraiser to help me during a began its own internal investiga- challenging time. tion. I called the police and they soon determined that a neighbor My father passed away late last in my building had gotten hold of year. Since his death came on the check and gave it to a friend December 19, just before the cha- to deposit. The alleged thief com- mitted suicide in June. Letters to the editor are otic Christmas holidays, it was welcome via email to decided not to rush the funeral On July 8, the Pittsburgh Banjo [email protected] plans. He was interred near other Club played their terrific ragtime relatives in a Milwaukee mauso- They may be edited for leum on January 8. tunes for The Roaring 20s Bash at publication. the Allegheny Elks Lodge. Both Shortly thereafter, we learned of a the club and lodge provided ser- small company life insurance pol- vices for free and the club even icy to be shared by sister and me. made a donation. She got her check, but mine mys-

Join the Pittsburgh Applause group on www.linkedin.com.

As a member of this group, you’ll be able to connected with your A&E peers in Pittsburgh!

Membership is free, but you must have a LinkedIn profile to participate. Keep The Applause Coming!

Advertise in the digital version of Pittsburgh Applause and reach over 1,000 readers each month!

The list of subscribers is culled primarily from the Pittsburgh A&E Book database and represents a broad swath of the area’s arts/entertainment community, both non-profit and commercial.

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But Jim needs a collection of advertisers willing and able to commit to at least six months of advertising. For more informa- tion, contact him at [email protected]