【23】 Meet established Chinese countrymen, feeling at home @ August Wilson Center

Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society, and recognition of cultural and historical identity adds warmth to the heart of a person residing far away from home. While celebrating and bragging the melting pot diversity in Pittsburgh and U.S. in general, I privately still find myself homesick once every a while. So on the 19th of October, 2012, when I was making acquaintances with several established Chinese countrymen/countrywoman in a Vibrant Pittsburgh function in August Wilson Center, I was seemly brought back to China. It’s a good feeling. Especially I got to know Ms. Fanglin Deng, who serves as the Vice President of Chinese Association for Science and Technology--Pittsburgh Chapter (CAST-P). That day, she dressed up in a very elegant and oriental fashion, which really made me feel like being at home.

During this Vibrant Pittsburgh event, topics such as accomplishments, new opportunities, and obstacles of immigrants contributing to Pittsburgh’s social and economic development, and the direction of immigration policy development, were discussed. Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang, as an entrepreneur guest speaker, shared his story about his company, KIT Solutions, LLC, creating high-paid tech jobs for local talents and utilizing big data methods to equip government departments to make better societal decisions. As a Chinese, I was very proud of him. And very pleased about being present to witness and celebrate his success.  As a community development and social entrepreneurship young professional, I knew I would be talking to him some more. It turned out that with the help from my father and his friend, I was able to connect Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang with Mr. Zhenyao Wang, one of the most influential social movement champions in China. As they say ”what you sow, you reap.”

I believe Pittsburgh is the right place to be for someone like me who wants to know the essence and efforts needed to transform a city through its community development efforts. As a matter of fact, in some Chinese newspapers, Pittsburgh has already been identified as a good learning example for community transformation.

Beer winning trivia @ Vibrant Pittsburgh, KIT Solutions LLC, and CAST-P

1. Vibrant Pittsburgh’s mission is “Embrace inclusion, ensure the Pittsburgh region’s growth by attracting, retaining and elevating a diversity of talent and promote the region nationally and internationally as a diverse, welcoming region of opportunities.” The major areas where Vibrant Pittsburgh’s projects are involved include immigration, employment, and cultural integration. Currently its Executive Director is Melanie Harrington.

2. KIT Solutions LLC was born out of a notion: combining social science and information technology to create innovative solutions in support of data-driven social service program management. In 1998, the first software product, the Performance-Based Prevention System (PBPS) was developed and implemented in the state of Pennsylvania to support statewide drug prevention. The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, 50 single county authorities, and 150 local service providers utilized this PBPS. Over the past 15 years, KIT has partnered with state and federal government agencies to identify, understand and enhance their decision-making process. As a trusted advisor, KIT offers ongoing expertise in the collection and utilization of data to more than 2,400 organizations and 30,000 end-users in the U.S. Its founder is Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang, PH.D sociology from University of Pittsburgh, of Chinese origin.

3. The Chinese Association for Science and Technology - Pittsburgh Chapter (CAST-P) is a non-political, non-profit organization chartered in the greater Pittsburgh area. Its missions are to promote China's economic reform while bringing prosperity to both China and the US by facilitating channels for technological, commercial, and cultural exchange between the two countries, to promote opportunities and environments for Chinese professionals to network and exchange information, and to promote greater understanding of Chinese traditional culture in the United States. CAST-P has over eight hundred members. Most of them are Chinese professionals working in science and technology fields in the greater Pittsburgh area. In addition to providing member benefits, sponsoring various sports activities and organizing annual picnic, CAST-P also holds monthly meeting and educational seminars on various subjects including new technology, tax and insurance, law and finance.

Your ID @ Vibrant Pittsburgh

In which prestigious Pittsburgh Club did Vibrant Pittsburgh host its JASP Annual Dinner on November 5th, 2013?

⑫Three internationals and our five neighborhoods @ Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Mt. Washington, Strip District, and Sou (th) Side

Unlike what the French is doing to their country’s immigrants, Pittsburgh Homeland Security officers might not “kidnap” kids from school and send them back to where they originated so that kids’ family would have to leave the country. However, there is still consequences if the law would be broken. So the point is that although Pittsburgh is a friendly city, as an international, maintaining a legal immigration status is still instrumental. For this very reason, +Sarosh Fatakia, +Albulena Krasniqi , and I met during an immigration workshop at university of Pittsburgh early 2012. Sarosh is a Scientist from India, Alb, a MBA and CPA candidate, now Ernst & Young employee to be, from Kosovo, and we soon found ourselves have a bond, through which we care for each other and support one another, especially when things didn’t go well as it now sounds to be.

We explored many neighborhoods together to make each other’s day.

Oakland is always a meet up spot, from where we start our precious time together. Squirrel Hill is the place where we dined, window shopped, Sarosh watched a lot movies and got his two pairs of glasses with a super great discount. Mount Washington is the place we had the most fun outdoor yet without spending a penny! The grand view avenue scenery, the panorama of downtown Pittsburgh from the bronze statue, and the Incline are all fun and interesting. Plus burning some healthy energy through walking is always a great satisfaction. Then we went Strip District put up some fat back without any hesitation, for those delicious Vietnam food was just irresistible.  Sou (th) Side? Yeah, that’s where I was grabbed again for some bourgeois pastime. This time it’s not for a drink, but for Cheese Factory’s dessert.

Well, it’s nice to treat yourself a piece of delicious cake in a nice environment, once a while, as if you deserve it, it helps to remind you of what you have missed, therefore regain a sense of purpose, however superficial that might be. After all, if we stay in a bathroom without ventilation for too long, we would eventually forget about how stinky it is, we get used to almost everything! But adaptability, like everything else is a double-edge sword......I am just justifying spending money when it's short.....So.... consumption at Cheese Factory is justified.  

Beer winning trivia @Squirrel Hill, Mt. Washington, Strip District, and Sou (th) Side

1. “Squirrel Hill” might be an Native Indian name. Pittsburgh officially divided this neighborhood into two, Squirrel Hill North and Squirrel Hill South. But we people only know one Squirrel Hill. Its original development in 18th century was focused on Mon riverfront. Many famous historical houses were built at that time. Mary Schenley’s grandfather James O’Hara ended up buying the third eldest house in the neighborhood built by Robert Neil at around 1787. Since 1889 Mary Schenley donated a lot property, including land and this house to the city of Pittsburgh, it’s opened for a time for the public. However, by 1969, the condition of the house was very poor that Pittsburgh Historical Landmark Foundation dismantled and rebuilt it. Now the house is only open for tours  in July during the Vintage Grand Prix.

2.  In 19th century, two major things happened that accelerated the overall development of Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the shift of focus from riverfront to the area that’s close to Oakland and Shadyside; and the operation of an electric trolley installed in 1893. The trolley line ran via Forbes Avenue and Murray Avenue to its final destination in Homestead, and was replaced by buses in 1958.

3. In 20th century, the open of Blvd of the Allies in 1927 further advanced the prosperity of Squirrel Hill due to its more convenient transportation to Downtown Pittsburgh. In 1953, Parkway and Squirrel Hill Tunnel opened, which provided easier and quicker access to surrounding neighborhoods. However, Squirrel Hill Tunnel also became many people travelling into Pittsburgh’s nightmare. Why people will subconsciously slow down BEFORE driving through the tunnel?

4. On the 27th of February in the third year of 21st century, a famous Squirrel Hill resident died. His name is Fred Rogers, the host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a children show, in which any movement on the TV is slow compared to nowadays’ hype active Chi-WA-WA style TV shows or movies.

5. Strip District locates between Lawrenceville and Downtown Pittsburgh hugging the Allegheny River.  This parcel of land was first owned by Mary Schenley's grandfather James O'Hara and George A. Bayard.  In 1814, the pair established the area naming it "Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh."  It was more commonly known as Bayardstown.  In 1837, the area joined the city, becoming Pittsburgh's fifth ward. With its ideal location, the area soon became a thriving industrial center.  Foundries, mills, and factories moved in. One interesting saying about this neighborhood is that “Strip District has had more identities than an undercover agent.” Two blows this neighborhoods suffered in 1930s was St. Patrick’s Day Flood in 1936, and great economic depression around world world war II.

6. From Mount Washington Pittsburgh you see the grand view of man-made civilization and prosperity. From the Mount Washington New Hampshire, you would be in awe to the nature’s creation. Same name, different view, something completely to think about. Isn't it interesting?

7. South Side, local call Sou Side, has the most concentrated liquor licenses in city of Pittsburgh. SouthsideWorks is an open-air retail, office, entertainment, and residential complex located on the South Side of the city of Pittsburgh and just across the Monongahela River from the Pittsburgh Technology Center and the University of Pittsburgh. I watched a movie called Connected there during 2012 St.Patrick’s Day, followed by a group discussion led by two professors at Pitt. It’s a great occasion. I was very much amazed by how green the neighborhood can be in such an early spring gloomy day!

Your ID @ Mt. Washington

What’s the story behind the bronze statue shown in the picture (above)? To be exact what is the conversation, George Washington was having with the Seneca tribe leader Guyasuta, about?

What’s the name of local media featured an article claiming that from this statue, you would have “The Best View in Town”?