Monday, March 12, 2012

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces 2012/2013 Broadway Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date:
March 8, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org


PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh 2012/2013

The 2012/2013 Broadway Season brings the best of Broadway to Pittsburgh!



Three 2011 Tony® Award-winning productions take the Cultural District stages this season, alongside popular specials and beloved classics. These presentations contribute to the city’s reputation as a major destination for arts, culture, and entertainment, attracting more than 300,000 visitors to our bustling Cultural District each year. The PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh Series is made possible through the generous support of the PNC Foundation and is co-presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

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2012-2013 SEASON SHOWS

WAR HORSE presented by the National Theatre of Great Britain and Bob Boyett. Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo • Adapted by Nick Stafford • In association with Handspring Puppet Company

Five 2011 Tony® Award-winner

November 13-18, 2012
Benedum Center

“A landmark theatre event.” —Time Magazine

A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship. England, 1914. As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London and New York. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride.

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FLASHDANCE

Tour Premiere!

January 1-6, 2013
Heinz Hall

FLASHDANCE–The Musical comes home to Pittsburgh for the premiere of its national tour. The production tells an unforgettable story of Alex, a working-class girl striving to make her dreams of becoming a professional dancer a reality.

FLASHDANCE, the pop culture phenomenon and runaway international success, is now live on stage! It all started with a dream: To be bigger. To burn brighter. To dance harder. Now is the time to live the dream all over again. Based on the movie that defined a generation, directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, The Addams Family), this new musical features a score of smash hits including the Academy Award-winning title track “Flashdance—What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “I Love Rock & Roll,” along with 16 original songs. Experience the magic all over again. FLASHDANCE will leave you begging for more!

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LES MISÉRABLES Cameron Mackintosh’s Spectacular New Production

The 25th Anniversary Production

January 15-27, 2013
Benedum Center

Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans, and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show as “a five star hit; astonishingly powerful.”

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SISTER ACT

February 5-10, 2013
Benedum Center

SISTER ACT is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash! The New York Post calls it “RIDICULOUSLY FUN,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Featuring original music by eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to REJOICE!

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Bette Midler Presents

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL

March 5-10, 2013
Benedum Center

BETTE MIDLER proudly presents the most OUTRAGEOUSLY FUN Broadway musical: PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT! This spectacular show tells the uplifting story of three friends on the road-trip of a lifetime. The trio hops aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and ends up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. An international hit with more than 500 dazzling, 2011 Tony® Award-winning costumes, PRISCILLA features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “Finally,” and “I Will Survive.”

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THE BOOK OF MORMON

Winner Nine Tony® Awards including Best Musical

March 26-April 7, 2013
Benedum Center

“I <3 MORMON” —New York Post

Nine 2011 Tony Awards® say it’s the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says, “It’s the funniest musical of all time.” And The New York Times says, “It’s the best musical of this century.” It’s The Book of Mormon, the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart calls it “A crowning achievement. So good, it makes me angry.” Contains explicit language.

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ANYTHING GOES A Roundabout Theatre Company Production

2011 Tony® Award Winner—Best Musical Revival

April 16-21, 2013
Heinz Hall

All aboard for this saucy and splendid production of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, winner of three 2011 Tony® Awards including Best Musical Revival and Best Choreography! One of the greatest musicals in theater history, Cole Porter’s first-class musical comedy is sailing to Pittsburgh while it continues a triumphant run on Broadway, where The New York Times calls it “MUSICAL-COMEDY JOY” and USA Today hails it as “GLORIOUS and EXUBERANT!”

When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love... proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. Peppering this timeless classic are some of musical theater’s most memorable standards, including “Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” and of course, “Anything Goes.” Don’t miss what the AP exclaims as, “So DELIGHTFUL, So DELICIOUS, So DE-LOVELY!”

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Season Specials

As a season ticket holder, you’ll be able to secure seats to these specials at the best price before they go on sale to the public. Please note that season specials are not part of your season tickets.

Season ticket holders are permitted to swap tickets from one season show to another or to one of the specials listed here. (Some restrictions apply.) Call the season ticket hotline or visit TrustArts.org/broadway for more information.

JERSEY BOYS
Season Special
September 4-23, 2012
Benedum Center

More than 87,000 theatergoers cheered when JERSEY BOYS made its sell-out premiere in Pittsburgh in January 2009. Worldwide, more than 13 million people have seen JERSEY BOYS, and now the show that made critics and audiences cheer is “Working Its Way Back” to Pittsburgh! JERSEY BOYS is the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present MARY POPPINS
Season Special
October 16-21, 2012
Benedum Center

MARY POPPINS is bringing its own brand of Broadway magic to theaters across the country, which has Variety raving, “This is the rare touring production that over-delivers on every level!” Featuring the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand-new breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, MARY POPPINS is everything you could ever want in a hit Broadway show! So get swept up in the fun of this high-flying musical the New York Post gives 4 out of 4 stars and calls “a super hit!”

STOMP
Season Special
October 30-November 4, 2012
Heinz Hall

STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique, and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.

GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT
Season Special
February 19-24, 2013
Heinz Hall

Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Based on Green Day’s Grammy® Award-winning multi-platinum album and featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track, AMERICAN IDIOT boldly takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. With direction by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), choreography by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch), and orchestrations and arrangements by Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), the result is an experience Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declares as “thrilling, emotionally charged, and as moving as any Broadway musical I’ve seen this year!”

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Season tickets on sale now! 412-456-1390
TrustArts.org/broadway

PRICES: Subscriptions range from $140-$489. Single tickets will go on sale approximately 6-8 weeks in advance of the show’s opening.

ONLINE: TrustArts.org/broadway

MAIL: PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh

719 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

PHONE: 412-456-1390

EMAIL: Subscriptions@TrustArts.org

FAX: 412-456-2694

GROUPS: 412-471-6930
groupsales@TrustArts.org
TrustArts.org/groupsales

10 or more* people attending the same performance may receive discounts and can order now! Call for details. *THE BOOK OF MORMON groups start at 15 people.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Susan Solovic Tweetchat Presented by Building Bridges for Business

NEWS RELEASE

February 22, 2012 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:
Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com
Mail: 342 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206


Susan Solovic, March 13, 2012 7pm Be among the first in Pittsburgh to join us for a TWEETCHAT #SMALLBIZPGH Building Bridges for Business


PITTSBURGH, PA – Award winning entrepreneur and author, Susan Solovic will answer questions via Twitter on March 13, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz) Sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Solovic is an award winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney is our guest.

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners will feature Solovic, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.

A woman of many talents, Susan Wilson Solovic is an award-winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney. But behind every achievement, Solovic embodies ideas that make her universally—and intimately—relatable to all entrepreneurs: hard work, fortitude, and persistence. In a world of quick and questionable viral fame, Solovic is a rare commodity: she is what she preaches.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh




2012 St Patrick's Day Parade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2012

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the

2012 Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade:

Jim Green Named 2012 Parade Grand Marshal;

Mary Kate Gallagher Named Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen 2012

Highlights:

•Second-largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the USA;

•Brentwood's Jim Green Named 2012 Grand Marshal;

•Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School's Mary Kate Gallagher Named Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen 2012;

•Three Drop Off Sites Designated for Pittsburgh Area Food Bank Donations;

•Second Year for Irish Fair in the Square;

•Clearview Federal Credit Union, River City Brass, and Ford Motor Co. Parade Sponsors.


Pittsburgh, PA, March 7, 2012 – Pittsburgh's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2012, with the same parade route it's followed the past two years, featuring over 23,000 participants from Pittsburgh-area marching bands, politicians, and a host of Irish-heritage groups. The event begins at 10 a.m., with the route stretching from the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11 th Street (Greyhound Bus Station), to the review stand located Downtown on the Boulevard of the Allies at Stanwix Street.

 The event celebrates Pittsburgh's Irish heritage and is normally attended by 150,000 - 200,000 people, all “Irish for the day.” On the rare warm sunshine-filled parade day, as many as 250,000 have attended the event, which for some serves as a kickoff to a weeklong St. Patrick's Day observances.

The parade has enjoyed a 142-year history in the city, having occurred non-stop since 1950. Many Pittsburghers remember that not even a blizzard in 1993 was able to keep Pittsburgh's Irish from marching on. According to U.S. Census data, more Pittsburghers claim Irish heritage than any other ethnic group in a region known as a “melting pot” of ethnicity.

Event officials have said that Pittsburgh's is the second-largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the United States, behind New York City.

The 2012 St. Patrick's Day Parade will feature nearly 200 marching units, including 18 bands, floats, several police, fire and emergency service agencies, along with many groups from Pittsburgh's Irish and other ethnic communities. The highlight of the parade is the appearance of Pittsburgh's Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2012, and St. Patrick himself.

Safety, security and a family-friendly atmosphere are central to the mission of the parade committee. Pittsburgh Police officers, firefighters and paramedics will be on hand during the festivities to ensure a safe and fun environment. The City of Pittsburgh now has a statute against consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, which will be enforced as it has in years' past. Parade committee rules strictly prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages for those marching in the parade.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is the highlight of an entire week of Irish-heritage events in and around Pittsburgh, featuring area artists, musicians and community groups. In addition to being a celebration of great significance to those with Celtic roots, parade organizers suggest that the parade be a catalyst for all Pittsburgh to explore Irish heritage, culture, entertainment and cuisine throughout the year.

The Parade Route

The 2012 parade will begin at the Greyhound Bus Station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11 th Street. Staging will take place from the bus station and away from Downtown to 28 th street. The parade will proceed from the intersection of Liberty and Grant Streets on Grant to the Boulevard of the Allies, where it will turn right. Proceed on the Boulevard of the Allies to the end of the parade route at Commonwealth Place and disburse.

2012 St. Patrick's Parade Grand Marshal

The Grand Marshal of the 2012 Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade is past Parade Chairman Jim Green of Brentwood. A Pittsburgh-native, he graduated from St. Justin High School in 1973. He then volunteered to join the Navy at age 17. He married his high school sweetheart Lynn in 1976 while stationed with the Navy in California. With an honorable discharge and thanks to the GI Bill, Jim returned to Pittsburgh and pursued his education.

He began his career in data processing Electronic Data Systems. Jim has been a Senior Systems Consultant with PNC for 18 years. He and Lynn have now been married for 35 years. They have two married children – Jim and Kelly. Kelly and her husband Tim, have a son, four-year old George Timothy III, who will march in this year's parade with his grandfather.

When Jim was around 30 years old, and was missing his dearly departed Irish grandfather, Tom O'Toole, he began searching for his Irish roots, and he and his family began celebrating the St. Patrick's Day holiday, ending the evening with a grand family toast to their Irish ancestors.

That led him to joining Division 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1991. Then, following the world famous “Blizzard of ‘93”, he joined the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and volunteered to serve as a Parade Day Marshal. When the Chief Marshal retired, he took that position. He was later named Parade Chairman by the Directors of the Irish Society for Education and Charity – which is the parent organization for the Parade Committee. He served in that position for 5 years before stepping down after last year's Parade, serving a total of 18 years.

While working on the Parade Committee over the years, he also served in various positions of the AOH, including Allegheny County Board Treasurer, and Vice President, then on the State level as Vice President then State President. He was elected to the position that he coveted the most last May, and now serves as Allegheny County President.

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen for 2012

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen for 2012 is Mary Kate Gallagher. She is the daughter of Michael and Marlea Gallagher of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. Mary Kate is a senior at Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, where she is an Honor Roll student. She has lettered in Volleyball, Cheerleading and is Team Captain of her school's Track & Field Team.

The youngest of four children, she plans on attending Seton Hill College in the Fall.

In her community, she is active with: the Pittsburgh Reelers, an Irish step dancing group. She recently was part of the March For Life in Washington D.C. She has volunteered for the “Empty Bowls Initiative” that aids the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank. Mary Kate has also helped with fundraising activities for “Operation Safety Net,” and she has worked with the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) in helping to feed the homeless in weather below freezing. She plans on a mission trip this summer to Kingston, Jamaica, where she plans to work at Mustard Seed Communities. Mustard Seed provides a home for abandoned and disabled children and children who are HIV positive. Mary Kate has been an altar server for the past 10 years at Holy Innocents Parish in Sheridan and has recently begun to serve as a Lector at mass

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2012 Court

Members of the Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2012 Court are Shannon Evans and Laura Schubert.

Court maiden Shannon Marie Evans, the daughter of Paul and Julie Evans, is from the North Hills of Pittsburgh. She is a senior at North Hills High School, where she is an Honor Roll student and a member of the school's marching band.

In her community, she is a member of Incarnation of our Lord Parrish and has served as an alter server for 8 years. Shannon, who plans on attending the University of Akron in the Fall, is a member of the Bell School of Irish Dance.

Her volunteer efforts include membership in of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Lay Mission Volunteer Group. As part this group Shannon travelled to Tennessee to help with removal of debris caused by tornado damage. In January of 2012 she travelled to Belize in Central America as part of a volunteer team from the U.S. to build a house. In one year, she logged 300 hours of volunteer service. She volunteers with Make A Wish, Angel's Place, the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank, and the Jubilee Soup Kitchen to name a few. Shannon was the Recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold for 2011.

Court maiden Laura Schubert, the daughter of Richard and Mary Rodgers Schubert, is from the Banksville neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh. She is a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University, where she maintains a 3.5 grade point average at Case's Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing. She is projected to be Class President in 2014. Laura is a 2010 graduate of Oakland Catholic High School, where she was on the Highest Honor Roll, and had received the President's Award.

 In high school, she was named Outstanding Catholic Student in January of 2010. She was also the recipient of The Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen Award, and she received The St. Joan of Arc Medallion, along with the St. Timothy Award

She told the Parade Committee that her first parade was the year of the St Patrick's Day Blizzard in 1993, and that she hasn't miss one since then.

In her community, Laura has been a member of the Pittsburgh Irish Reelers, and she has volunteered at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is a member of Holy Innocents Parish where she continues as an Altar Server and a regular volunteer at parish events.

The Irish Fair in the Square

For the second straight year, the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee will host its “Irish Fair in the Square,” a fun-filled celebration in Market Square where many of the 100,000-plus St. Patrick's Day Parade-goers can gather in a family-friendly atmosphere during the Parade.

The Irish Fair in the Square will feature music from Celtic Shores, the Montour High School Drum Line, the River City Brass Band and River City Youth Brass, and the McDonald Pipe Band.

Activities will include members of the Pittsburgh Busker street performer group and face painting for the little leprechauns.

Due to the City of Pittsburgh's open container statutes and the Parade Committee's desire to foster this family-friendly event, starting at 10 a.m. and throughout the parade, adult beverages will only be available within private establishments and will not be a part of this official Parade event.

After the Parade, the Market Square Merchant's Association will host its own, more adult-oriented and very popular St. Patrick's Day Street Party that will continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

Food Bank Donations

Parade spectators will once again have the chance to enjoy a great Pittsburgh event while at the same time donate items to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Hibernian Hunger Project, in cooperation with the parade committee, is sponsoring a “Food and Funds Drive” where parade-goers can drop off non-perishable food items or monetary donations at three points along the parade route:

  • Greyhound Bus Station at the corner of 11 th Street and Liberty Avenue;
  • City-County Building at 414 Grant Street; 
  • Steelworkers Plaza at 60 Blvd. of the Allies.
Thanks to Our Sponsors

 The Parade Committee is pleased to report that Clearview Federal Credit Union has generously agreed to serve as our Grand Marshall Sponsor. River City Brass has stepped up to serve as our Review Stand Sponsor. Area Ford Dealers have provided the parade with vehicles to transport our VIP participants in the parade as our Vehicle Sponsor. A sincere ‘thank you' to all of our sponsors. Please support them as they are dear friends of the Pittsburgh Irish community.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh