Certification &

Contracting Workshop

FEB. 24—The U.S. Small Business Administration will host an 8(a) and HUBZone Certification & Contracting workshop from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 River Ave., 1st floor Conference Room, North Side. It is free to the public.  MBE/WBE and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to attend.  Registration is requested.  For more information, call Marisa Fentzel at 412-395-6560 ext. 109.

AUGUSTA, Ga.—Pittsburgh natives and one of Augusta, Ga.’s  best-known culinary secrets has been revealed to the world, thanks to the literary efforts of the internationally renowned publication known as Southern Living magazine.

Jackie M’s Restaurant and Catering, a small Augusta business, was featured in the food section of the magazine’s November edition. The book featured specialty menus that were developed by Jackie M, in addition to her penchant for producing uniquely delectable Thanksgiving Day meals.

FAMILY AFAIR—Owners of Jackie M’s Restaurant and Catering from left: Clinton McCalla Sr., Jackie McCalla, and Clinton McCalla Jr. enjoy their newfound fame.

The Southern Living article was appropriately headlined: “A Smokin’ Good Thanksgiving.”

The article’s author, Norman King, said the Augusta family-owned firm deserves the worldwide recognition.

Branding and marketing guru Erin Patton is scheduled to share his strategies and techniques during the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Microenterprise Symposium, Feb. 20. Aiming to provide practical information that entrepreneurs can implement in a down economy, Alice Williams, business support specialist for the YW Enterprising Women Program, a part of the Asset Development Initiative of the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, says the symposium is designed to empower women, which is the mission of the YWCA.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE— Ruth Byrd-Smith from the Allegheny County Department of M/W/D/B/E is set to serve as kickoff speaker for the Feb. 20 Microenterprise Symposium.

The Microenterprise Symposium, carrying the theme “Micro 2 Millions” will take place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carnegie Mellon University at the Tepper School of Business, 5000 Forbes Ave.

The price for higher education is enough to make a grown man cry. On the date of this writing, the average cost for private college is approximately $22,000 to $28,000. The average cost for public universities is approximately $9,000 to $12,000. As if those prices are not high enough, college tuition continues to increase at a rate of 7 percent annually. That being said, in the next five years college tuition for private and public universities will cost on average $39,000 and $17,000, respectively. As for those of us with younger children, the prices go up from there. “If you think the price for higher education is expensive, try ignorance,” said Earl Graves. Ignorance may be bliss but it’s costly.