See You at the ULTRAParty on Washington Road Tomorrow Night

I've been out of town for the first two ULTRAParties, so this year I really don't want to miss the fun. Look for me on Washington Road starting around 8 pm. *The ULTRAParty is Saturday, August 8, starting around 8 pm*

Help the Autism Center.

Mike

Mt. Lebanon Comes Alive Saturday August 8th With ULTRAparty

We received the following press release from the organizers of the upcoming ULTRAparty:

Mt. Lebanon Comes Alive Saturday August 8th with ULTRAparty
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Robin Cole to appear

Uptown Mt. Lebanon is the place to be Saturday, August 8, as Experience LEBO and Miller Lite present the third annual ULTRAparty, Mt. Lebanon’s premiere summer street party event, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

ULTRAparty provides an opportunity for the young (and young-at-heart!) to literally party in the street— Rt. 19/Washington Road closes to vehicular traffic from Cedar Blvd. to Castle Shannon Blvd.— and enjoy live music and refreshments in Uptown Mt. Lebanon. People can easily reach Mt. Lebanon’s Uptown the by T. Ample parking is available in Uptown garages and lots.

Popular 80’s cover band VELVEETA takes the stage at 8 p.m., and for a $5 cover, those 21 and over can purchase Miller Lite or Heineken and enjoy food and drinks on the street. New additions this year include a visit from Robin Cole, All-Pro Steelers linebacker and two-time Super Bowl champion during the "Steel Curtain" era, who will be on hand greeting fans and signing autographs, and a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia including autographed Steelers and Penguins items.

"ULTRAparty is a perfect fit for the Mt. Lebanon Partnership, attracting dynamic, energetic, diverse young people to enjoy Mt. Lebanon," noted board member Dorene Ciletti. "Last year’s event attracted more than 3000 people, and we expect a larger crowd this year."

The party furthers Mt. Lebanon’s goal of becoming “the main street of the region,” according to Mt. Lebanon Public Information Office Susan Morgans. "We are delighted that this event introduces people from all over to the restaurants, businesses and other amenities that our community offers. We hope they’ll see that Mt. Lebanon is a very special and welcoming place."

The Autism Center of Pittsburgh, the only facility in Western Pennsylvania that offers speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychological evaluations and parent support and information all in one place, will benefit from ULTRAparty. One of its three locations is on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon

"Proceeds from ULTRAparty will allow the Autism Center to provide services and support for people affected by autism in our area," explained Anne Fleming Babish, event chair. "What better way to spend a Saturday night than by partying in the street, enjoying the music and sipping a cold drink while supporting a great cause!"

For more information about the event, including detailed sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, visit www.ultrapartylebo.com.

Save The Date -- Ultra Party 2009 - August 8th

SAVE THE DATE -- MT. LEBANON ULTRA PARTY 2009 -- August 8th, 2009

Mt. Lebanon Partnership presents ULTRAparty 2009 to benefit The Autism Center of Pittsburgh. ULTRAparty 2009, a follow-up to the enormously successful events in 2007 and 2008, is now in the planning stages. With more than 1 out of 150 diagnosed with autism, once again, the Autism Center of Pittsburgh will benefit from ULTRAparty, allowing for more services and support to be provided to those affected by autism in our area.

Come help the only local autism organization that keeps the money LOCAL! Support the autism Center of Pittsburgh and come out and enjoy one of Pittsburgh's most well-attended and amazing parties in the street!

Miller Lite/Wilson-McGinley Co. has once again signed on as our Signature Sponsor, along with Media Sponsor, mtl Magazine, The Saloon of Mt. Lebanon & Web Partner, Higher Images, Inc.

For more information or to volunteer to help, please visit http://www.ultrapartylebo.com or call the Autism Center at (412) 343-4303.

ULTRAParty Raises Approximately $25K for Autism Center

From the Autism Center of Pittsburgh....

Saturday's ULTRAparty was a success by all accounts, despite a few small setbacks. Over 3,000 attendees descended upon Washington Rd. to enjoy the sounds of the 80's cover band, Velveeta and enjoy food and beverages provided by Wilson-McGinley/Miller Brewing and Atria's Restaurant & Tavern.

Despite an early setback of electrical outlets that were not operational, the problem was quickly solved with generators and the party went on as planned!

Once again the event proved to be one of the most successful in Pittsburgh thanks to hundreds of volunteers from the Autism Center of Pittsburgh and the LEBO group.

No police incidents were reported.

Ultra Party Needs Volunteers

On behalf of the Ultra Party this Saturday evening in Mt. Lebanon, Cindy W. writes:

We are desperately in need of volunteers, so if anyone has the time and can give us a few hours....please email dciletti@hotmail.com.

Ultra Party Returns to Lebo on August 2

The Second Annual Mt. Lebanon "Ultra" Party, a beer bash/street party with the side benefit that it raises money for the Autism Center of Pittsburgh, returns to Washington Road next Saturday, August 2. Last year's event was, by almost all accounts, a smashing success, for the organizers (the LEBO group), for the beneficiaries (the Autism Center), and for the community (everyone who attended).

The organizers have a website up at http://www.leboultraparty.com/ (warning: the "Entrance Fees" link doesn't work, at least not for me).

Last year's party generated some interesting conversation about local businesses that *didn't* co-sponsor the event. See the links here and here.

I missed last year's party (was out of town) and will miss this one too (family commitment with a higher priority). But go if you can, and hope that the weather is nice!

Dancin' In The Streets

It's quite possible that 90 percent of the attendees at Friday night's ULTRAparty on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon weren't even born when Journey released "Don't Stop Believing." But that didn't keep them from pumping fists in the air in beat with Velveeta as the group performed the rock anthem to a wound-up crowd of young adults.

Link: www.postgazette.com/pg/07221/807935-55.stm

What Do Lebo Businesses Owe the Community?

Reading through the comments on the ULTRA Party, it's clear that the organizers earned some well-deserved congratulations. It's also clear that one local business - Molly Brannigans on Washington Road - has metaphorical egg on its face.

The latter point raises the following discussion topic: What do local businesses, and especially local retailers, owe the community? Molly Brannigans isn't the only business on Washington Road that sells food; was it the only business that was open during the ULTRA Party? If not, why is everyone down on Molly Brannigans for taking advantage of the evening's crowd -- and not down on other businesses that also sold them food and drink, or other things?

I want to be clear that I agree with the critics of Molly B.s, and I'm not trying to invite criticism of other businesses. One anonymous comment suggested that Molly B.s voluntarily set aside a portion of its ULTRA evening proceeds for the Autism Center, since the point of the evening was to raise money for charity. That strikes me as a good idea. Why not extend it to other Washington Road businesses that were open (or, for future events, will be open) at the same time?

ULTRA Party Last Night

I couldn't go to the First Friday celebration or the Mt. Lebanon ULTRA Party last night. I've heard one report already that the whole thing was groovy, baby, as Austin Powers might say. What did you think?

Mt. Lebanon Street Party Will Aid Autism Center

When Cindy Waeltermann got the diagnosis for her nearly 3-year-old son, she recalled, "All I heard was 'autism,' and I think my ears started ringing. I heard nothing after that."

To compound her distress, her younger son later was also diagnosed with autism. "That truck didn't kill me when it ran over me, so it backed up to make sure I was completely dead," she said.

Such reactions are common among parents in her position and that's one of the reasons for the group she directs, the Autism Center of Pittsburgh/AutismLink. The center now needs a South Hills location, which could cost $15,000. That's where ULTRAparty comes in. ULTRAparty, a street jam Aug. 3 in Mt. Lebanon, will offer music, food and drinks with proceeds benefitting the Autism Center of Pittsburgh/AutismLink.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07207/804285-55.stm

Link 2: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07200/802661-54.stm