Just over 60 matches attended the party and participated in a variety of crafts such as bat magnets and Halloween pencil toppers, as well as the very popular "edible" crafts of chocolate tombstones, M&M witches hats and popcorn witches hands!  As the guests arrived their photos were taken for the BBBS Gruesome Gallery of Ghouls and Goblins.

Whole Foods generously donated pumpkins, many of which were carved into ghoulish jack-o-lanterns while a large number were decorated with yarn, sparkles and pompons for the kinder and gentler Halloween display.

Those who were feeling more adventurous took a stroll through the Mad Scientist Lab and played a friendly game of Fear Factor, where they were given the dare of eating some ghastly (yet perfectly safe and basically tasty) food creations, such as Brain Cell Salad, Toasted Toe Nails, Pickled Knuckles, Scabs, Kitty Litter and the ever popular Chuckie's Upchuck.  Those who successfully braved the challenge received a real treat...candy! 

Matches were also invited to sing along with some “Scari-Oke” and get their faces painted if they came without a costume.  To gather the group together we had a few Halloween relays, including the popular toilet-paper-mummy relay and the assemble-the-skeleton relay (which sounded better in theory than in practice, but was fun all the same).  Basically, everyone was a winner and came a way with an assortment of prizes. 

The day wound down with the raffle drawing for a life-sized Sponge Bob Square Pants, which was won by LS Keona and as well as gift bags donated by BS Diane Mohr that were won by several lucky Littles.  LS Mariah used her excellent skills of deduction and came away the winner of the candy jar filled with 1,587 pieces of candy.  As matches gathered up their creations and made their way home they were treated to a goodie bag with a generous "gift" for each Little courtesy of a special friend of the agency.  KDKA-TV even stopped by to film some of our antics, and the segment aired on Saturday’s 11 o’clock newscast!   From all accounts, it appeared that a ghoulishly good time was had by all! 

Check out our newest photo gallery!

Ladies & Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

The green flag is set to fly for the 24^th Annual Corporate Roast to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh!  On Wednesday, November 5, corporate leaders from Pittsburgh, as well as those from the international racing community, will be in attendance to honor – and roast – Chip Ganassi, president, owner & CEO of Target/Ganassi Racing.  You are invited to join us on November 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh in support of Chip Ganassi and BBBS.

This will be the first such recognition in his hometown of Pittsburgh for racing legend Chip Ganassi.  At the start of the 2003 season, Target/Ganassi Racing switched from the CART Series, where his team won four consecutive championships from 1996-1999, to the Indy Racing League.  Despite the new series and new competition, Ganassi’s team won another open-wheel title by securing the 2003 IRL championship on October 12, 2003.  Drivers Scott Dixon and Tomas Scheckter compete on Ganassi’s IRL team.  Ganassi also contends in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series with a trio of drivers that includes Sterling Marlin, Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears.

For more information about the BBBS Corporate Roast, contact Danielle Hock, special events manager, at dhock@bbbspgh.org or call 412-363-6100, ext. 214.  Event sponsorships are available from $10,000 to $500.

Attention Bigs:  We are still looking for additional Bigs and Littles to attend this year’s Corporate Roast as our special guests and at no charge.  Bigs and Littles are needed to serve as greeters and help extend farewells at the end of the program.  The attire will be dress clothes (a.k.a. “church clothes”) for both Big and Littles, and a special dinner and entertainment will be provided separate from the Roast program.  If you’re interested and available, please contact Linda Skosnik ASAP at lskosnik@bbbspgh.org or call 412-363-6100, ext. 218.

Big Sister Named "40 Under 40" Winner

The new Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) recently announced the 2003 “40 Under 40” honorees, and the winners include Big Sister Christa Washington.  Congratulations, Christa!

This has been quite a year for Christa, as she also was honored as the 2003 National Big Sister of the Year at the BBBS of America’s National Conference in June.  Chosen from among 297,000 Bigs nationwide, Christa was Pittsburgh’s first winner of this national honor for her outstanding efforts as a friend, role model and mentor to her Little Sister Sade.  Today, Sade is enrolled as a freshman at Penn State University in State College.

Christa also becomes the first Big to be named to as a “40 Under 40” honoree, a distinction that puts her in a select group of young people in Pittsburgh.  Winners were chosen based on their vision, passion, commitment, visibility, diversity of interests and involvement in their communities.  “The record-breaking number of exceptional nominees for this year’s ‘40 Under 40’ says something very significant about our community and the depth of talent and commitment that we have among the under-40 set,” said Betsy Benson, publisher/editor of Pittsburgh Magazine.  “It was not easy for our judges to choose only 40 from such an impressive group of young people.”

“While this region has endured much criticism for its seeming inability to attract and retain young people, a closer look at our ‘40 Under 40’ winners goes a long way in restoring confidence in the future of our community,” said Kate Whitmore, PUMP Board member and 40 Under 40 chair.  “The quality of these nominees is both a testament to the dedication of the region’s young people and the growing prestige of the ‘40 Under 40’ awards.”

Christa and the 39 other winners will be guests of honor at a celebration on November 14 at the PPG Wintergarden.  To read more about the Christa and the 2003 “40 Under 40” honorees, pick up the November issue of Pittsburgh Magazine at newsstands now, or visit www.wqed.org or www.pump.org.

Get Connected: The Neighborhood Academy

The professional staff at BBBS can be a valuable referral source for Bigs, Littles and their families.  There are many Bigs and parents who are looking for help or additional programs for their Littles, but they don’t know where to turn.  That’s where the BBBS staff can help.  We’re well connected with many of the social services programs and youth activities in our region.  And if we don’t know the answer, we’ll find out who does.  

From time to time, the BBBS E-News will help you “get connected” with youth programs, activities and services that may benefit your Little.  We hope to make you aware of a variety of opportunities, including scholarships, summer camp programs, after-school activities, alternative schools, youth job opportunities, internships, and more.

In this issue, we’re pleased to introduce you to The Neighborhood Academy, a faith-based, independent, college-prep high school for Pittsburgh’s inner-city youth.  The Neighborhood Academy is a school for young people who dream of going to college.  The school is located at the Champion Commons Building, 5231 Penn Avenue in Bloomfield, but admissions are open to all students throughout Allegheny County.  Their program features very small classes, with an emphasis on reading, writing and math for students in grades 8 through 12.  One of the school’s other unique aspects is the extended school day, which includes morning worship, three meals, and evening study hours. 

The Neighborhood Academy is now enrolling students for the next school year.  For additional information or to attend an open house, contact The Neighborhood Academy at 412-362-2001 or e-mail info@theneighborhoodacademy.org.

• Jessica, LS to Della Hollins, is the only female the taking mechanics course at McKeesport High School, and she’s showing up all the boys!
• Congratulations to Tom Hardiman’s LB Sadik who was accepted this school year to the Rogers School for the Performing Arts.
• BB Glynn Galloway and his LB Kameron will be traveling to Delaware for the annual pumpkin chucking contest.  Glynn promises to forward us photos upon their return.
• Congratulations to BS Erin Irwin and her husband who are extremely pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Catherine, on September 8.
• BB Conan Lingler and his LB Scott went on a scavenger hunt to locate all the dinosaurs around the city.  How many did you find?
• Big Couple Olen & Suzanne Scott’s LB Tyler was named to the all-star baseball team in his community.  Olen reports that Tyler is a very talented baseball player.
• The community service award goes to BS Stephanie Hackett and LS Miranda who are volunteering by walking dogs at the Humane Society.  (No, Miranda, you can’t bring any more pets home.)
• Congratulations to Tom Wiese’s LB Kalif who’s baseball team started another winning streak last week.
•  LS Rasheda (BS Anne Fleming) recently received a scholarship to attend Sewickly Academy.  Rasheda also spent a week this summer in Costa Rica doing community service through a program called “Rustic Pathways.”  Her BS Anne also had a successful summer, as she bought a new house and received a promotion at her job.  Bravo!
• BB Jim Stitt’s LB Scott is playing the position of safety on the Arsenal Middle School football team.
• LB Edward went on his first roller coaster ride this summer at Kennywood Park with his BS Holly Price.
• LS Lauren (BS Tammy Berkoben) has been taking acting classes, and she will participate in her first play later this month.
• BB Matt Ruskay’s LB Bob just celebrated his 18^th birthday.  Bob is now studying to become a certified EMT.  He’s also a volunteer junior fire fighter.  The last step in the certification process is to pass the written state boards.  We’re rooting for you, Bob! 
• BB Bill Harris (LB Tristian) is home safely after serving our country in Iraq.  Welcome home, Bill, and thank you!
• LS Anna (BS Darlene Vislay) spent a week this past summer in Disney World, Florida.  She even had breakfast with Mickey Mouse and Cinderella.
• LS Alexis (BS Lindsay Rosenfeld), LS Essence (BS Mindy Bramer), LS Daja (BS Cheryl Jones), LB Scott (BB Jim Stitt) and Case Manager Linda Kaputa with her LS Andrea were all brave enough to attend a BBBS group outing to Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Night on October 3.  Fortunately, they all made it out alive, but not without receiving their share of frights and scares.

For more information about tickets and the match activities listed below, please contact Cheryl Jones at cjones@bbbspgh.org or call 412-363-6100, ext. 226.

• Research an authentic ethnic dinner to try.  Not only will this be fun (and hopefully tasty), but it may help your Little branch out from the “fast food-itis” so many suffer from!  Pick a type of food. Look for one or two easy recipes.  Write up your shopping list, and take a trip to the supermarket.  Then hit the kitchen!  Sit down, and enjoy your dinner creation together!  Send home any leftovers for your Little to share with his/her family! 

• For those who aren't into cooking, get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!  Check out the nature walks offered at the Frick Environmental Center (2005 Beechwood Blvd., 412-422-6538) and Hartwood Acres (215 Saxonburg Blvd., 412-767-9200).  Collect a variety of fallen leaves, and then research together the trees from which they came.

Have you ever had the following conversation with your Little? Big:  “What would you like to do?” Little:  “I don't know.” Big:  “Would you like to go to the zoo, movies, etc.?” Little:  “I don't care.” Sometimes, Littles have difficulty expressing to their Bigs what activities they might be interested in doing.  It could be for a variety of reasons: They may have a difficult time making decisions on the spot. They may be embarrassed to say what they would like to do, thinking it may be asking for too much. Their activity experiences have been limited. One suggestion is to ask your Little to write a list of activities he/she is interested in doing.  If you are matched with a younger child, you can help your Little write a list.  Review the list together, and choose one of the activities for your next outing.  You also can refer to this list in the future. With positive encouragement and a few helpful suggestions from you, children often can write a list of things they would like to do when they are otherwise unable to express themselves effectively.