News from Allegheny County
April 2, 2008
Allegheny County Council proclaimed April 2, 2008 – Tobacco Free Allegheny – Kick Butts Day. Some of the teens in the Busted! group from the Duquesne Community Mobilization Project and a representative from Carlow’s PA SWAT group were present at the Council meeting last evening along with Jamie Moder and Julie Gaul adult facilitators for Busted! and PA SWAT respectively. Councilman Finnerty presented the proclamation to all of us. (see photo at www.tobaccofreeallegheny.org later today)
This evening two luminaria displays will be mounted, one at Carlow University in Oakland and one at the Waterfront Complex in Homestead. At each location, 1200 luminaria with messages attached, will be lighted beginning at dusk. The 1200 candles represent the lives lost to tobacco related illness and disease each day in this country. Carlow University students first began the luminaria project three years ago, and this year PA SWAT groups at colleges across the state, and other Busted! groups are following their example.
Students from Deer Lakes, Gateway, Springdale, McKeesport, and the Career Connections Charter School will participate in the Waterfront Event along with the students from Duquesne. If anyone would like to visit either site, I anticipate the best viewing will be between 8 and 8:30 pm as it gets dark. WAMO radio will be doing a live remote broadcast from 6-8 pm at the Waterfront location. The center of activity at the Waterfront will be in front of the AIU building on East Waterfront Drive.
Cindy Thomas
Executive Director
Tobacco Free Allegheny