Penn Hills teachers had hoped to draw attention to their five-month-old contract dispute with the district when they went out on strike Feb. 4, and for one day it worked.

But before a new negotiating session could be convened the next day, the worst winter storm to hit the region in 17 years took the focus off the strike and put it on dealing with downed trees, no power and no heat for everyone in the municipality.

ALL FOR ONE —Administrative Assistant Vickie Pollard walks the picket line as Penn Hills teachers go on strike Feb. 4. They agreed to return to work Feb. 10, though an agreement on a new contract has not been reached.

February is Black History Month so we asked Pittsburghers what their plans are. Here’s what you said:

“I am not doing anything for Black History Month because I don’t know what’s going on. If I knew of different things then I would probably do them.”
Brandon Cunningham
Student
Penn Hills

Brandon Cunningham, Anisa Tate and Rahsaan Scott

LaVerne Baker Hotep is known for her many deeds. She is an essential part of the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, a vocalist, African drummer, author and founder and president of WellWoman InnerPrize. Now after more than 30 years of study and research she is fully operating Numerology Readings for Enlightened Living and revealing her numerology expertise.

SPREADING KNOWLEDGE— LaVerne Baker Hotep shares information through her numerous business ventures.

“Nearly every aspect of our daily lives deals with numbers in someway,” said Hotep. She listed time, money, bus routes, highway exits, addresses, telephones, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, elevators and even fast food ordering as a few possible everyday encounters. Noting that some people might classify numerology as being mythical, she says the roots of it date back thousands of years with variations being found in most cultures going back to Phoenicia and Babylon.

Planning meeting

FEB. 18—The Black Political Empowerment Project will host their monthly Planning Council Meeting at 6 p.m. at Freedom Unlimited, 2201 Wylie Ave., Hill District. The community is invited to join in the discussion. For more information, call Tim Stevens at 412-758-7898 or visit b-pep.net or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .