GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - Sept. 1 at Emiliano's on the South Side - Great Networking Opportunities - FREE!

The GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays event for September will be held at Emiliano's Mexican Restaurant on the South Side on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening of friends, music and good spirits with an international flair. This will be a great event for new students, internationals and globally-minded people from all over.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays is a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

Celebrate Mexican Independence (Sept 16) and all of Latin America, meet visitors from many countries, and network with globally-minded folks from Pittsburgh and all over.

Thanks to support from Heyl & Patterson!

There will be free appetizers, bar specials, raffles, celebrity bartender and more. Admission is FREE (and there will be membership information if you want to sign up at the door).

Emiliano's is located at 2557 East Carson Street on the South Side.

For more information, contact Tim Allen at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@pciv.org. READ FULL ARTICLE

Internationally Recognized Expert in Marrow Transplantation Named Chief of New Division at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Paul Szabolcs, M.D., a native of Hungary and a pioneer in reduced-toxicity cord blood and marrow transplantation, has been appointed chief of the newly established Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Paul Szabolcs, MD

Under Dr. Szabolcs’ leadership, physicians in the Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies will design and test disease-specific and biologically rational novel reduced-toxicity transplantation regimens for patients with high-risk leukemia or lymphoma, and for those afflicted with life-threatening inherited conditions that can lead to bone marrow failure, immune deficiency, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Szabolcs, also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, comes to Pittsburgh from Duke University Medical Center, where he was as an associate professor of pediatrics and immunology. While at Duke, he established an independent research program that combined basic and clinical investigations focused on understanding the biology of immune reconstitution and alloreactivty after cord blood transplantation and developed immunotherapy strategies to prevent or treat leukemia relapse after cord blood transplantation.

"In close collaboration with the faculty of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Dr. Szabolcs will be working to expand our evidence-based use of blood and bone marrow transplantation and to develop cellular therapies for malignant and non-malignant diseases, including metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases, and to carry out clinical and basic research that will lead to new discoveries for improved outcomes from cellular therapies,” said David H. Perlmutter, M.D., physician-in-chief and scientific director at Children’s Hospital, and the Vira I. Heinz Professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

In recent years, Dr. Szabolcs, a National Institutes of Health-funded researcher, has successfully developed novel reduced-toxicity transplant conditioning regimens to improve the safety of cord blood transplantation for children afflicted with a variety of non-malignant diseases, including inborn errors of metabolism, immunodeficiencies, and sickle cell anemia. Most recently, he has turned his attention to combining unrelated-donor bone marrow transplantation with lung transplantation for curative treatment of rare immune disorders that result in or cause pulmonary failure.

Dr. Szabolcs is a graduate of Semmelweis University School of Medicine in Budapest, Hungary. He completed his residency in pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine and his fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplantation at Cornell University Medical College and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

For more information about Dr. Szabolcs, the Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies or Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, please visit www.chp.edu. READ FULL ARTICLE

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Embarking on 12-Concert European Tour, Providing Opportunity for Region to Connect with Global Business Leaders

Music Director Manfred Honeck will lead the world-renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) on a 12-concert European Festivals Tour presented by BNY Mellon from Aug. 23 to Sept. 12, 2011.

Maestro Honeck will lead the PSO at the prestigious Lucerne Festival in Switzerland (Sept. 3), Berlin Festival in Germany (Sept. 11), as well as concerts in Wiesbaden (Aug. 26) and Hamburg , Germany (Aug. 27), Vilnius, Lithuania (Aug. 29), Paris (Sept. 7). The orchestra also will perform two concerts at the Grafenegg, Austria, on Sept. 1 & 2, at the Beethoven Festival in Bonn on Sept. 9 & 10. Additional performances in the United Kingdom will be announced at a later date.

Violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter and acclaimed pianist Hélène Grimaud will join the PSO on tour.

Mutter will appear in Wiesbaden, Hamburg, Vilnius, Grafenegg, Lucerne, the U.K., Bonn and Berlin, playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Wolfgang Rihm’s Gensungene Zeit and Lichtes Spiel, both written for her. Grimaud will appear with the PSO in Grafenegg, the U.K., Paris and Bonn, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4.

The tour program also will feature Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Braunfels’ Fantastic Appearances of a Theme by Hector Berlioz and Wagner’s Prelude to Lohengrin.

"I am thrilled to return to the music capitals in Europe with the Orchestra and Manfred Honeck, who both received tremendous accolades on their previous tour," PSO President and CEO Lawrence Tamburri said. "Honeck is a master of the core Austro-German repertoire, which historically is part of the PSO heritage."

"Touring Europe with our wonderful musicians is always a special experience for me," Honeck said. "It is fantastic to make music with our world-class orchestra in some of the finest concert halls in the world."

The PSO would like to recognize and thank BNY Mellon for its presenting sponsorship of the 2011 European Festivals Tour.

"BNY Mellon is proud to be the presenting sponsor of 2011 PSO European Festivals Tour, which showcases the PSO’s formidable artistic talent and bolsters its international reputation among the world’s elite symphony orchestras," said Vince Sands, Chairman of BNY Mellon of Pennsylvania.

International touring is also made possible, in part, by the Hillman Endowment for International Performance.

The PSO also is continuing its partnership, now entering in its sixth year, with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance to promote the Pittsburgh region in Europe.

“We are excited to join forces with BNY Mellon and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance yet again,” Tamburri said. “The Pittsburgh region routinely gets chosen as one of the most livable areas in the United States and we are honored to serve as ambassadors and tell the world about this great region.”

“A city and region of bridges, Pittsburgh has become internationally recognized for creating partnerships that are, in fact, bridges connecting us to the world. The partnership with the PSO is just one example of how diverse organizations and individuals come together to introduce this exceptional live-work-play destination,” said PRA President Dewitt Peart.

“Showcasing the PSO, one of our best cultural assets, and engaging with global business leaders let us nurture established relationships and build new friendships that bring investment to our region. The PRA is excited to return to Europe, promoting the opportunities for international business investment in southwestern Pennsylvania. In fact, CEOs of companies abroad have been asking, ‘When are you coming back?’ The anticipation seems to be mutual,” Peart said.
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Fall Activities for GlobalPittsburgh Members Announced - Now's the Time to Join the GlobalPittsburgh Network!

Here's a list of activities planned this Fall for members of the GlobalPittsburgh Network. (If you're not a member yet, or you know somebody who would like to become a member, CLICK HERE or go to www.globalpittsburgh.org).

Saturday August 20 
Riverside Bike Ride – Let’s enjoy a bike ride along downtown’s riverbanks to celebrate the middle of the summer and admire Pittsburgh’s landmarks on the go.

Thursday September 1
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Friday September 2
First Fridays at the Frick – This evening, we’ll hear music by the St. Petersburg String Quartet. They are one of the world’s most esteemed chamber ensembles.

Sunday September  11
Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh - We’ll join Japanese living in Pittsburgh for a picnic in the Fox Chapel area. There will be food and games at this event.

Saturday September 17
Dragon Boat Festival– We’ll travel as a group to this fun and informative festival which shares Asian culture through hands on activities, foods, and dance & music performances throughout the day. There will be hands on activities such as testing ones origami skills.

Friday September 30
Pittsburgh Gallery Crawl – features live music, spectacular art, and interesting installations. This activity usually brings out a large group of members who enjoy art, live music, and exploring downtown’s cultural district with a group a fun and interesting people.

Thursday October 6
FIRST THURSDAYS networking event at Sheraton Station Square Pittsburgh Rare Lounge. 5:30 to 8 p.m. CLICK HERE for more information about First Thursdays.

Saturday October 15
Fall Harvest Festival - We’ll visit a local farm to sip hot apple cider, take a hay ride, roast marshmallows, and pick pumpkins.

Friday October 28 or Saturday October 29
Halloween Activity – We’ll celebrate this holiday with a little suspense, shock, and possible some horror. You’ll have a frightening good time!

Thursday November 3
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Saturday November 12
Harmonist German Christmas Market — You’ll visit an old German village for its annual Christmas Market. You’ll learn about the Harmonists and how they settled in Western Pennsylvania.

Thursday November 24
Thanksgiving Day Holiday - Join U.S. members in their homes to celebrate this American holiday with turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and pumpkin pie.

Thursday December 1
FIRST THURSDAY group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Thursday January 5, 2012
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Thursday February 2, 2012
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

Thursday March 1, 2012
FIRST THURSDAYS group dinner/networking at local restaurant – Location to be determined. Send your suggestion for location of this monthly dinner and networking event.

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Pittsburgh and Johannesburg Confirmed As Finalists In Race to Host One Young World 2012 - Announcement Coming Sept. 3

Following initial expressions of interest from leading cities in Australia, China, South Africa, Peru and the United States, the One Young World founders confirmed today that the bids from the cities of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Johannesburg, South Africa, have been shortlisted as the two finalists in the running to host One Young World 2012.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the closing ceremony of the One Young World Summit in Zurich.

David Jones, co-founder, One Young World, and Havas global CEO said, "The strength of these bids is testament to the growing profile of One Young World and the fact that it is developing into the foremost global forum for young future leaders."

This year, more than 1,200 young leaders under the age of 30 are attending the summit, representing 170 countries. They will meet to discuss some of the big challenges facing mankind and will create resolutions regarding their actions to address these issues.

Unlike any other event in the world, One Young World gives young delegates the kind of media platform and access to world figures ordinarily afforded only to those who lead countries and corporations. The summit facilitates global debate around the ideas and resolutions of the delegates, and the consequent initiatives and action are monitored and recorded.

Kate Robertson, One Young World co-founder and U.K. group chairman of Euro RSCG, added: "The bids from both Pittsburgh and Johannesburg were exceptional. They showed an unhesitating commitment to the ethos of One Young World in championing young people and the vision to create a formidable event in 2012."

About One Young World
One Young World is the world's premier global youth leadership summit, aiming to bring together delegates aged 25 and under from every one of the world's 192 countries. One Young World combines the social power of the Internet with the energy and ideas of global youth to address the most challenging issues of today.

Founded by David Jones, global CEO of Havas and Euro RSCG Worldwide, and Kate Robertson, U.K. Group Chairman of Euro RSCG, One Young World focuses on plenary sessions at which delegates are guided by a group of international luminaries including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldof. The inaugural London summit took place in February 2010. The second-annual One Young World summit will be held in Zurich, Switzerland, on Sept. 1-4, 2011, and will gather more than 1,600 young people from every country worldwide. For more information, please visit www.oneyoungworld.com. READ FULL ARTICLE

New Immigration Rules Designed to Promote Startup Enterprises and Spur Job Creation in Places Like Pittsburgh

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas this week outlined a series of policy, operational, and outreach efforts to fuel the nation's economy and stimulate investment by attracting foreign entrepreneurial talent of exceptional ability or who otherwise can create jobs, form startup companies, and invest capital in areas of high unemployment.

"The United States must continue to attract the best and brightest from around the world to invest their talents, skills, and ideas to grow our economy and create American jobs," said Secretary Napolitano. "Today's announcements will help our nation fully realize the potential of existing immigration laws."

"Current immigration laws support foreign talent who will invest their capital, create new jobs for American workers, and dedicate their exceptional talent to the growth of our nation's economy," said Director Mayorkas. "USCIS is dedicated to ensuring that the potential of our immigration laws is fully realized, and the initiatives we announce today are an important step forward."

These actions mark the six-month anniversary of Startup America, a White House-led initiative to reduce barriers and accelerate growth for America's job-creating entrepreneurs. They have also been one key focus of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, which has recommended taking action to help ensure that America can out-innovate and out-compete the world in a global economy.

USCIS has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on its website clarifying that entrepreneurs may obtain an employment-based second preference (EB-2) immigrant visa if they satisfy the existing requirements, and also may qualify for a National Interest Waiver under the EB-2 immigrant visa category if they can demonstrate that their business endeavors will be in the interest of the United States. USCIS will complement these FAQs with internal training on the unique characteristics of entrepreneurial enterprises and startup companies and incorporate input from the upcoming stakeholder engagements detailed below. CLICK HERE to read the FAQ page.

The EB-2 visa classification includes foreign workers with advanced degrees and individuals of exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. Generally, an EB-2 visa petition requires a job offer and a Department of Labor certification. These requirements can be waived under existing law if the petitioner demonstrates that approval of the EB-2 visa petition would be in the national interest of the United States.

In response to stakeholder feedback, USCIS has also updated existing FAQs to clarify that an H-1B beneficiary who is the sole owner of the petitioning company may establish a valid employer-employee relationship for the purposes of qualifying for an H-1B nonimmigrant visa – which is used by U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

The EB-5 immigrant investor program is also being further enhanced by transforming the intake and review process. In May, USCIS proposed fundamental enhancements to streamline the EB-5 process which include: extending the availability of premium processing for certain EB-5 applications and petitions, implementing direct lines of communication between the applicants and USCIS, and providing applicants with the opportunity for an interview before a USCIS panel of experts to resolve outstanding issues in an application. After reviewing stakeholder feedback on the proposal, USCIS is developing a phased plan to roll out these enhancements and is poised to begin implementing the first of these enhancements within 30 days.

Created by Congress in 1990, the program stimulates the U.S. economy through capital investment and resulting job creation by immigrant investors. As of June 30, 2011, it is estimated that the program has resulted in more than $1.5 billion in capital investments and created at least 34,000 jobs.

USCIS has also announced the expansion of its Premium Processing Service to immigrant petitions for multinational executives and managers (often referred to as "E13"). The Premium Processing Service allows employers to expedite processing of their petitions, absent evidentiary deficiencies, fraud or national security concerns.

Finally, USCIS is launching a new series of engagement opportunities for entrepreneurs and startup companies. These opportunities will focus on soliciting input from stakeholders on how USCIS can address the unique circumstances of entrepreneurs, new businesses and startup companies through its policies and regulations in the employment-based arena. For detailed information on USCIS's public meetings, please visit www.uscis.gov/outreach.

For more information, visit www.uscis.gov.
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