Introducing the FontanaFest Fun Run/Walk

I am excited to announce that prior to the start of the 13th annual FontanaFest on Saturday, August 19, will be the 1st annual FontanaFest One Mile Fun Run/Walk sponsored by Highmark and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC! 

The FontanaFest Fun Run/Walk will take place at Highmark Stadium with runners beginning at 10:30 a.m. and walkers at 10:45 a.m.  The unique course will start inside Highmark Stadium before turning onto the river trail, ultimately ending inside the stadium.  All participants will get a t-shirt and awards will be presented following the race. 

Registration is $10 for individuals and can be done by clicking here or visiting https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FontanaFestFunRunWalk.  Families with three or more people can register for a flat fee of $25.  Proceeds from the race will be donated to organizations in support of fighting childhood cancer and supporting families.

Following the race, awards will be presented on the field at Highmark Stadium while the 13th annual FontanaFest kicks off at 11 a.m. 

FontanaFest, a free community event, is perfect for families and children, promoting healthy and active lifestyles by providing many fun activities, games and crafts.  Children will have the chance to play on several inflatables, an obstacle course, and a climbing wall.  All attendees also are provided with the opportunity to engage with more than a dozen organizations from around the region and receive important information on available services and programs, nutrition, health care and much more.  A Roving Puppet Stage from Pittsburgh Puppet Works will be present from noon – 2 p.m. and guests can also mingle with the Pirate Parrot and perhaps a few of his friends.

Parking will be free in the stadium’s West Lot, compliments of Forest City. 

Whether you’re an avid runner or just like the idea of taking a casual stroll along our riverfronts, consider participating in the 1st annual FontanaFest Fun Run/Walk while supporting the worthwhile cause of ending childhood cancer and providing support for families and then stay for the 13th annual FontanaFest!

Changes for Notaries in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of State is alerting Pennsylvania notaries public of significant changes to the notary law that will go into effect in October.

The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), enacted in 2013, requires that all notaries complete a three-hour notary education course in order to be appointed or reappointed.  The course must be completed in the six months immediately preceding the application for appointment or reappointment.  The education requirement affects all notaries, including those previously “grandfathered” by court ruling.  Because RULONA changes take effect October 26, 2017, the six-month window is now in effect for anyone who will be applying or reapplying on or after that date.  A certificate of course completion must be included with all applications for appointment or reappointment submitted on or after October 26.

New notaries will be required to take and pass an examination before receiving their commission.  Current notaries will not be subject to the examination requirement as long as their commission has not expired or lapsed. If a current notary’s commission expires for even one day, that notary will be required to take and pass the examination.

The examination will be a computer-based test offered at Pearson VUE test centers in nearly all Pennsylvania counties. The cost is $65 per test.  Notary applicants will have six months from the time they are authorized to sit for the exam to successfully pass the test and can take the test as many times as needed.

RULONA changes also include revisions to the list of authorized notarial powers, a redesigned notary stamp, updated requirements for the notary journal or register, and the option to keep the journal in an electronic format.  Currently commissioned notaries may continue to use their current notary stamps and registers until their existing commission expires.

A comprehensive list of changes that will go into effect October 26 has been posted on the Department of State website at www.dos.pa.gov. A list of education providers is available on the site or by clicking here.  More information can also be provided by calling 717-787-5280 and selecting, option 2.

DEP Grants Available for Alternative Fuel Transportation

I want to remind everyone the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting grant applications for their Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program. DEP’s AFIG Program offers funding for the purchase and use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.  Grant applications will be accepted throughout 2017 with submission period deadlines in July and December.

The AFIG Program can assist school districts, municipal authorities, non-profits, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered to do business in Pennsylvania in offsetting the costs of implementing alternative fuel using transportation projects.  This program is funded by annual gross receipts tax on utilities.

DEP is offering grants in the following project categories:

• Vehicle Retrofit or Purchase – To offset the incremental cost of purchasing alternative fuel vehicles or retrofitting existing vehicles to operate on alternative fuels.
• Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure – To assist in the costs to purchase and install refueling equipment for fleet and workplace, home or intermediary refueling.
• Innovative Technology – To support research, training, development, and demonstration of new alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

Applications for grants in the AFIG Program will remain open to receive proposals throughout the 2017 calendar year.  DEP will hold two submission periods.  The first submission period deadline is this Friday, July 14 at 4 p.m. with the second submission period deadline occurring Friday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.

The AFIG Program will accept applications at any time during the year and evaluate the applications received after each submission period and determine awards.  Project applications received during the first submission period that do not receive an award can be resubmitted immediately for consideration during the next submission period in accordance with the AFIG Program rules.

AFIG guidelines and application instructions are available by clicking here or visiting www.dep.pa.gov. Applications must be submitted online through the eGrants system.

Fresh Paint Days in Pennsylvania – Grant Applications

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is accepting applications for their Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania program through next Monday.  The annual program, held in partnership with Behr and The Home Depot, is designed to provide community groups with paint and painting supplies to enable them to renew a community structure in need of some attention. 

Applications and more information about the program are available by clicking here or visiting http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/grants-awards/fresh-paint-days/.  Applications must be submitted no later than July 17.  All applications will be evaluated by a review committee with grants awarded in August.  Projects must be completed during Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania, September 1 – 30.
 
 Below are a list of grant criteria and more information about the program.

• Available to any tax-exempt group in Pennsylvania.  Private property owners or individual applicants cannot apply.
• Each application is eligible for up to 20 gallons of exterior paint provided by Behr and a gift card for painting supplies.
• Only one building per application is allowed.  Applicants can submit multiple applications.
• Once receiving award notification, applicants must provide proof of liability insurance and signed permission to paint from the property owner.
• Required to submit two “before” photos of the intended project.

For more information about the grant program please contact Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673, ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Extended

The deadline to file for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue 2016 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has been extended through December 31.  Rebate distribution began on July 1 for anyone who had their application processed before June 30.  Through the end of 2017, rebates will be distributed as claims are reviewed and processed by the Department of Revenue.

If you need an application, or did not apply last year and wish to apply this year, applications are available at www.revenue.pa.gov or at my district offices, and my staff would be happy to assist you in preparing your application.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and over; widows and widowers age 50 and over; and people with disabilities age 18 and over.  Homeowners with a maximum yearly income of $35,000 and renters with a maximum yearly income of $15,000 are eligible for a rebate.  Keep in mind half of Social Security income is excluded.  Some applicants who previously received rebates may continue to qualify despite Social Security cost-of-living adjustments that may have pushed their income past eligibility limits.

Veteran Education Fair

The Veterans Leadership Program is hosting their first Veteran Education Fair tomorrow at their offices located at 2934 Smallman Street in the Strip District.  The Education Fair will run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and will offer attendees the chance to speak directly with educational institutions and learn the guidelines for admissions, how to utilize the GI Bill, and gather information on education programs of interest.  All veterans are welcome. For more information please visit www.vlpwpa.org.

Upcoming APPRISE Lunch & Learn

The The next APPRISE/Allegheny Link Lunch & Learn event is scheduled for this Thursday, July 13 at the Human Services Building, located at 1 Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh.  Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. – noon with the program beginning at noon.

APPRISE is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Pennsylvania’s Medicare beneficiaries.  The Pennsylvania Department of Aging created APPRISE to help citizens with Medicare understand their health insurance options so they can make informed decisions about which plan is best for them.

The topic for the July 13 Lunch & Learn is “A Current Status Update on National and State Health Benefit Programs.”  This presentation will discuss the important changes taking place to medical assistance and health care benefit programs available in Pennsylvania, programs such as Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.  Presenters will also use this forum as an opportunity to showcase programs that offer low cost/no cost alternative to accessing health care services in western Pennsylvania.   

Anyone interested in attending should R.S.V.P. to Bill McKendree at mckendreew@fswp.org or 412-661-1670, ext. 645.

Summer Food Program for Children

Children ages 18 and younger can participate in the Allegheny County Summer Food program which began in mid-June.  Summer Food will run in over 80 locations in Allegheny County through August.  At these locations children can receive a free breakfast and lunch during the summer recess from school.  For more information on the program, including information on locations and times, please call the Allegheny County Department of Human Services at 1-800-851-3838.  You may also click here to view a listing of locations.

Fontana Fact

During the 2016-17 school year, 3,404 students from the 42nd Senatorial District received more than $9.5 million through PHEAA’s State Grant Program to assist in paying for their post-secondary education.

Brookline District 932 Brookline Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Phone: 412-344-2551 Weekdays – 9 am – 5 pm	Harrisburg 543 Main Capitol | Box 203042 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: 717-787-5300 Fax: 717-772-5484 Weekdays – 8:30 am – 5 pm	Kennedy Township Kenmawr Plaza 524 Pine Hollow Road Kennedy Twp, PA 15136 Phone: 412-331-1208 Weekdays – 10 am – 4 pm
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