by Anick Jesdanun
AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — As the year began, I decided I would get serious about digital cleanup — to save money and improve my online life.

For a while, I had been putting off tasks such as backing up computer files and canceling the premium cable channels I never watch. Usually, I'd remember to do something while riding the bus, then soon forget. It took some discipline over a few months to get my digital life in order. As a result, I'm due to save more than $2,000 a year, money I can spend on a nice vacation.

HARRY C. ALFORD

(NNPA)—Last week, I explained why we have Black business programs. The evolution of them from the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the cause for their existence. Title VI of the Act and along with U.S. Supreme Court decisions justifies their existence. The most frustrating thing about it is the fact that most of them don’t work too well. Our collective gains in the public and corporate marketplace have been little and slow in coming. If we had genuine efforts and very positive results after 49 years of law there would be no need for affirmative action and minority participation programs. In other words, there would be no more discrimination in the business marketplace. But unfortunately, racism still raises its ugly head.

Peter A. Spangler and Mark C. Hamilton, Rebecca E. Alcorn, and Anthony R. Burgess have joined Tucker Arensberg as associates. Peter, Rebecca and Anthony join the Business and Finance Department, and Mark is a member of the Litigation Department.

Peter Spangler’s corporate and commercial experience includes mergers and acquisitions, real estate, banking, employment and intellectual property. Peter was an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, teaching “Writing in the Legal Professions.”

Anthony Burgess and Rebecca Alcorn focus their practices on energy, particularly natural gas including titles and leasing. They work primarily with energy companies.

Mark Hamilton concentrates his practice on employment, business and construction litigation. Prior to law school, Mark was an analyst, managing federal government defense and military contracts.

Tucker Arensberg is an 80 attorney law firm headquartered in Pittsburgh with an office in Harrisburg. It is a full service regional firm providing service to its clients in the areas of  general business law, banking, insolvency and creditors' rights, estates and trusts, school and municipal law, health care, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, energy, technology and intellectual property, environmental, labor and employment, immigration, real estate, workers' compensation, employee benefits, and investment management and fiduciary services. For more information on the firm, please visit www.tuckerlaw.com.

A PLEASURE TO SERVE—Antoine Stribling, left, and William Sutherland of W.V.B. Car Wash and Detail Shop take pride in cleaning and detailing vehicles. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

To William Sutherland and Antoine Stribling, driving clean and well-groomed vehicles is not important. What does matter to them is that their customers are driving clean vehicles inside and out. For the last eight years Sutherland has been washing and detailing vehicles from 111 Capital Ave. located off West Liberty Avenue in the Dormont section of Pittsburgh. “We take our craft very serious,” said Sutherland. “When you come to W.V.B. Car Wash and Detail Shop your car becomes our car and we treat it with care.”