Before you think that I’m some type of tightwad or Scrooge, let me say that I believe that giving is a wonderful thing. In fact, it is my heart’s desire that we all build a solid financial foundation so that one day we can give our time, talent and treasure to people and charitable causes that we believe in. However, I believe in giving when it helps not when it hurts.

DEC. 10—The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University will host an Open House for the Mentoring for Women Business Owners Program from 5-7 p.m. at Chatham University, Woodland Rd., Oakland. This is event is for interested mentors and mentees to learn more about the program, to clarify the roles and expectations and to network. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit www.chatham.edu/events/mentor.cfm.

Once again, Pittsburgh as a metropolitan region is ranked as a top rated city by an outside national source. Fortune Small Business Magazine listed the area as the second best city to launch a small business. Oklahoma City is rated the number one ranked city with Raleigh, N.C., Houston, Texas and Hartford, Conn., following Pittsburgh.

HOWARD SLAUGHTER JR.

Agreeing that Pittsburgh should be highly ranked as a good place to launch a business, Ruth Byrd-Smith said, “Pittsburgh is a city where there is a strong generational work ethic. The climate is seasonal without being harsh. The people are friendly and it is a very economical place to live.” Byrd-Smith, a former entrepreneur is the director of the Allegheny County Minority/Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.