in
the
LOOP
What's News
in West County
BUILDING A MOVEMENT
Pittsburgh’s Arts and Culture Community
Embracing Accessibility and Inclusion of
People with Disabilities
Do you know
someone who
loves the arts
but stopped
going because
they couldn’t
see the stage, read the program or hear the
dialogue? Good news! Times have changed!
FISA Foundation has promoted the
inclusion of people with disabilities into
the region’s performing arts, theaters
and museums. Through collaboration
with The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and the
Allegheny Regional Asset District, arts
organizations are training staff on inclusive
practices, changing policies and providing
accommodations to ensure that the arts are
available to all members of the community.
Most of Pittsburgh’s cultural organizations
now have accessibility information on their
websites. It’s becoming common to find
large-print programs, hearing amplification,
accessible seating and adapted performances.
FISA Foundation recently released
Building a Movement: How Pittsburgh’s
Arts and Cultural Community is Embracing
Accessibility and Inclusion of People with
Disabilities. The report can be accessed at
fisafoundation.org/about/centennial-report.
SOME TIPS FOR SIMPLER,
GREENER LIVING
We all want to take better care of our
planet. Here are some easy, practically
painless strategies for simplifying your life
while helping the environment.
• For short trips within a few blocks,
consider walking or riding your bike.
You'll save gas and mileage on your car
that can add up over time, and meet your
neighbors in the process.
• Consider using a push mower instead of
a jet-propelled gas mower. No need to
have to transport messy gas cans back
and forth to the gas station for filling,
and a push mower is better exercise.
• If you have a balcony, courtyard or other
secure area, consider hanging your
clothes outside, rather than using the
dryer in warmer months. It's estimated
that the dryer makes up between 10%
6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | West County
and 20% of your electric bill. Hanging
clothes outside will make them fresher
and sunshine can help eliminate dust
mites. Check your borough or township
website for any laws prohibiting the use
of a clothesline.
• Recycle, recycle, recycle. Did we
mention recycle?
• Did you know that it’s estimated you can
save about $90 per year on your electric
bill by shutting off your computer when
not in use? Good for you, good for the
environment.
TROYER GROWERS
FARM PART OF NEARLY
2,800 ACRES INCLUDED
IN PRESERVATION
PROGRAM
Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Land
Preservation Board today safeguarded 2,778
additional acres on 28 farms in 13 counties
through the state’s nationally renowned
farmland preservation program.
Since the program began in 1988, federal,
state, county and local governments have
invested more than $1.2 billion to preserve
489,409 acres on 4,586 farms in 57 counties
for future agricultural production.
The Troyer Growers farm #1, a 171.8-acre
crop farm, was part of the program.
“The best agriculture land is often the
best land for development, but our farmland
preservation program ensures prime soils
stay in farming,” said Agriculture Secretary
George Greig. “I thank the producers who
want to preserve their land and the people
behind the scenes who make it happen.
Together, we’re preserving agriculture, the
cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy.”
The Pennsylvania Agricultural
Conservation Easement Purchase Program
identifies properties and slows the loss of
prime farmland to non-agricultural uses. It
enables state, county and local governments
to purchase conservation easements, also
called development rights, from owners of
quality farmland.
In some cases, the federal Farm and
Ranchlands Protection Program provides
additional assistance. Last fiscal year,
Pennsylvania received $4.2 million in federal
reimbursements.
For more information, visit www.
agriculture.state.pa.us and search “farmland
preservation.”