Whether you live in Pittsburgh or are visiting this city in Western Pennsylvania, you will want to enjoy the many events that take place throughout the year in this city. There are many festivals that celebrate different heritages as well as the heritage of those living in the city. You and your family will enjoy taking in one or two events during your trip to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival

During the second two weeks of May, you can enjoy the Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival that takes place at the University of Pittsburgh at the Schenley Plaza. This international festival features dance and music from all countries and is ideal for children and their families. Children from all over the world participate in this festival.

Ambridge Nationality Days

Also during the second weekend of May is the ethnic festival that features food, entertainment and crafts that represents countries from all over the world. This event takes place at Ambridge and is fun for the entire family. There is no fee for this event.

Venture Outdoors Festival

The third Saturday in May at Washington’s Landing is a large outdoor festival that celebrates just about all that the outdoors has to offer. There are over 100 different groups represented at this wellness festival that includes fishing, kayaking, inline skating and even rock climbing. There are booths located throughout the park to encourage outdoor activities. This is a wellness celebration that is not only informational, but fun.

Pittsburgh Folk Festival

The third weekend in May brings the Pittsburgh Folk Festival to life at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. This event has been going on for 53 years and features everything Folk, including art and music. You can enjoy foods, music and dance as well as exhibits at this annual event that is the pride of Pittsburgh and celebrates folk art and music from over 25 different nationalities.

Memorial Day Polka Festival

Polka enthusiasts will want to visit Pittsburgh for Memorial Day for the annual Memorial Day Polka Festival that takes place at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort. You can watch or participate in the Polka dancing, listen to Polka music and enjoy the foods at this fun annual event that takes place every Memorial Day weekend.

Pennsylvania Microbrewers Fest

The first Saturday in June is a delight for beer lovers in Pittsburgh as Troy Hill has the most exciting beer festival in Pennsylvania. Those who love beer will enjoy this event that features taste testing of hundreds of different beers that are brewed on the East Coast as well as in Pennsylvania.

Saxonburg Fireman’s Carnival

The second weekend in June on Pittsburgh Street is the home to the Saxonburg Fireman’s Carnival. This large carnival features rides, games as well as food and craft vendors that is hosted by the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department. The event starts off with the largest Fireman’s Parade that is east of the Mississippi.

Pennsylvania is a state in the United States of America. This State is sometimes abbreviated as PA. It boarders states like Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia. It has a population of about 13 million people. It has a varied climate. Most parts of Pennsylvania has a humid continental climate. The south eastern pat of the state has a warm climate. If you are dating in Pennsylvania you can go to see the water fall, go swimming and visit the national parks. These are just among the few things you can do if you are dating in Pennsylvania. There are so many other things you can do.

When dating in Pennsylvania, you can go to Hershey Museum where you will see how they make chocolate and get to taste them. It is even more nice tasting if you were to watch the process of it being made from the start to the end. Its a wonderful experience. You can also walk through their galleries and see the great works of art by various artists. You can also go to Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum which was build in honor of the great vocal groups. Here you will get to learn about the vocal group music and how they have touched the many hearts of people. The next place you should make your stop is at the Pittsburgh zoo and aquarium. This place has so many animals from many species. Go see the animals and even get to learn more about some of them.

If you are dating in Pennsylvania, you should go visit their parks. Knoebels has one of the best roller coasters in the world that you should go take a ride in. They also have bumper cars and giant wheel. Get into a bumper car and knock each other around. When you get hot from all the bumping and the roller coaster you can go to their pool and swim. This is a great place that is opened on a daily basis. The sandcastel water park is also a lot of fun. They have 15 waterslides that are very nice. Get into one with your date and go down the waterslide. They also have a lazy river that you and your date can go to and float on an inner tube for such a long time. You can go see the water falls at the falling water.

This brief list here consists of some of the most haunting places in and around the state of Pennsylvania. All the places enlisted among these haunted places are restricted and if any one wishes to visit or investigate any of the following places, he or she will need legal permission. Most of these places are guarded by the authorities. Intruders will be put on trial.

Abington Presbyterian Church: Often the ghost of a child is spotted in this church which was built in 1779 after removing a graveyard from its place. After the church was constructed the graveyard was shifted aside to it.

Since then people have reported of having seen a child standing at the windows in the church at night. Some people have also seen the ghost of the child while praying in the church. This church is one of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania.

Academia – Juniata County: Said to be one of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania the Old Girl’s School was destroyed in a fire in the 1800s. The school building is situated right beside a burial ground making the entire surrounding of this old school quite scary.

There goes a certain myth that the gardener at the school had killed few of the girls and hidden their bodies. Strange things are said to happen at this place at the night.

People who have been there at the night have seen flickering lights, strange sounds and have been chased out after having felt strange presences. People have also heard the sobbing of a young girl and seen a main dressed in black.

Mudlick Hollow, Beaver, Brighton Township: This place is really eerie and truly deserves to be on this list of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania. It is believed that in the 1800s a misfortune had struck a young couple who were just married and were heading back home after their wedding in a horse buggy.

On the way a small wild animal rushed out of the forest scaring the horses. As a resulted the buggy turned off the road and fell into the creek. The young bride broke her neck and died and the unfortunate groom who was pinned under a lame horse slowly died next to his newly wedded bride.

Local people say that on dark nights a fog appears on the road from the creek and you can hear a horse buggy approaching in speed but before it reaches one can hear a crash and a scream. After this everything becomes silent once again and the mist vanishes away. No wonder this creek is termed to be one of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania foreclosure listings provide a great start to real estate investors seeking great deals on Pennsylvania properties. Do not be fooled into thinking that purchasing a foreclosure is as simple as a point and click. It takes a good deal of time and research to be certain that the property you are interested in is worth the money it will take to acquire it.

Historically, purchasing foreclosure property was for the big time real estate investors or those who are “connected” within the lending market. Today, with the help of technology and a foreclosure market which is overrun with opportunity, foreclosures are appealing to first time homebuyers and real estate tycoons alike.

A comprehensive foreclosure listing is the first step to finding and purchasing real estate foreclosure property. For new investors in the foreclosure market, there are numerous self help books, webinars, seminars and websites offering information and step by step instructions of investing in real estate, including investing in the foreclosure market. In fact, and unfortunately, investing in the foreclosure market has become an industry by itself. It’s the simple rule of supply and demand. The supply of properties in foreclosure have never been higher than they are today.

As stated previously, the first step is a comprehensive foreclosure listing. These listings can be easily found on the internet. The best listings will contain full property addresses, photographs, financial information, and lender contact information. However, that is only the start of the research needed to get a great deal. Additional research is needed, such as determining if any additional liens are present, if the former homeowners are still living at the residence, if major renovations are needed as well as inspections and an independent appraisal are all found on a good research punchlist.

A Pennsylvania foreclosure listing is a great start to discovering some great Pennsylvania properties in foreclosure. But, don’t let your research stop there!! Those “in the know” will tell you, ask questions, get answers and perform due diligence to make sure you are putting your hard earned money in a safe and sound investment.

In Pennsylvania, only judicial or in court foreclosures are allowed. To move forward with an in court foreclosure, the bank must file a lawsuit in order to receive a court order to foreclose. When the court finds in favor of the bank, the property will then be scheduled for a sheriff’s sale.

The bank must send a notice of intent to foreclose to the home owner. This letter must be sent first class mail to the last known address of the homeowner. If this address is different then the home which the bank is preparing to sell to get its money, then the letter must be sent to that address in addition to the last known address. General practice is that this notice of intent to foreclose is not sent until the homeowner is 60 days behind on their house payment.

This notice of intent to foreclose must inform the homeowner that it is the intention of the bank to accelerate the mortgage payment, if the loan is not brought current in the next thirty days,. This means that if all past and current payments are not made up, plus late fees and interest. The total amount will become immediately due and the bank will be moving ahead with the sheriff’s sale on the home.

In Pennsylvania, a home owner has the right to come up with the whole amount owed on the home plus attorney’s fees etc… all the way up until one hour before the sale of the home is conducted. Doing this will, of course keep the home in their name, and save a foreclosure from appearing on their credit history.

Finding a way to come up with all that money is another matter all together. If the sheriff’s sale does not generate enough money to satisfy the bank on the amount of the loan, Pennsylvania provides the lender, the right to continue to pursue the former home owner for additional money. The bank only has six months following the sale to exercise this option. This however, does not occur very often, because of the obvious reason, that most people, who have lost their home to foreclosure, do not have any other resources the bank would want to pursue.

Pennsylvania is one of four states that do not allow wage attachment (typically called a garnishment) for simple debt owed to a creditor. (North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas are the others).

In Pennsylvania, wage attachment can only occur in very limited circumstances. Among those are
1) judgments for child or spousal support;
2) obligations relating to a final divorce distribution;
3) back rent on a residential lease;
4) as restitution for criminal matters;
5) for certain types of taxes.

As you can see, there are very limited circumstances under which PA allows wage garnishment to occur, and credit card debt is not one of them.

The reason that I get this question so much is because many debt collectors use wage attachment as a threat. I would imagine that it is a very powerful threat, the thought of having my wages garnished is very troubling. To a person who is not educated in the law, the threat must be even more troublesome.

Let’s talk about wage garnishment a bit to see exactly what it is and why debt collectors make such a threat. A garnishment is an act whereby money or property that is owed to the Debtor (the defendant in the credit card lawsuit) or that is being held by someone (the Garnishee) for the Debtor, is taken to pay a Judgment. Therefore, wage garnishment would be where the judgment creditor directs the garnishee to hold funds (pay, commission or wages) that are owed to the Debtor and give them to the judgment creditor. Again, to be clear, there is no wage garnishment or wage attachment in Pennsylvania for credit card debt.

Unfortunately, debt collectors still make this threat on a very regular basis, even though wage garnishment cannot occur in PA. They use this threat as a scare tactic and their reasoning is two-fold. The first reason is obvious, they want the money. Most collectors work on a contingent or bonus basis. That means that they get paid a percentage of what they collect, or, they have quotas that they have to meet to get paid. The second reason is that they know that most people are not educated in the law and that most people simply want the issue to go away.

To make a threat of wage garnishment in PA is illegal. There is a federal law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that provides protections to consumers/debtors. This law makes it illegal for debt collectors to make a threat that they cannot carry out. Since wage attachment or garnishment cannot occur in PA, making a threat to do so is illegal.

If you are a debtor in Pennsylvania and a wage garnishment threat is made against you, contact a consumer attorney right away. You will have the ability to bring a claim against that debt collector and it will not cost you a penny! The FDCPA has a provision in it whereby the debt collector is responsible for your attorney fees if there is a debt collection violation. In that regard, any knowledgeable consumer attorney will take on your case without taking a retainer (an up front payment).

The Pennsylvania New York is a hotel which has enraptured many a tourist and visitor by its immortal heritage and history. One of the most endearing facts about this hotel is that it is located in the humdrum of New York City. Situated in 7th Avenue whilst straddling the entire section between 32nd and 33rd Streets, the Hotel Pennsylvania is nearby to many of the most famed places in the city of New York. Boasting a fabulous location much to the envy of other hotels, the Pennsylvania Hotel offers a truly memorable experience for guests and visitors who have come to see the best of New York City.

The budget friendly Pennsylvania Hotel is ideally situated right opposite the Madison Square Garden and the Penn Station. The monument of sorts is also a mere 4 or so blocks from the charismatic Jacob Javits Convention Centre. This somewhat appealing hotel does offer the most when it comes to enjoying a vacation that is memorable to say the least. Designed to offer comfort and relaxation, this modest hotel does manage to mix in some heritage and modish elements which go a long way in making a stay here adequate. Yet, it should be noted that whilst tourists would spend their time in a hotel, as many visitors would testify, New York City is a location which will make staying in a hotel unacceptable – simply because there is just so much to see and do.

The Pennsylvania Hotel New York happens to be near to most of the places which are the stuff of legends and Hollywood films. For example, there is Broadway which is located a kilometre away. This truly is a New York City moment full of colour, drama and culture which is embraced and emulated the world over. The Madison Square Garden which has doubled up as a venue for concert by Grammy award winning acts and superstars and even political rallies is also less than a kilometre away. Surely this hotel allows tourists to have their fair share of Kodak moments in a magnanimous manner.

On a more universal note, the Hotel Pennsylvania New York happens to also be nearby to the United Nations a mere 2km away. In terms of a landmark of a veritable monument it should be stated that St. Patrick’s Cathedral is 2km away from the proximity of the hotel. Noted for its cultural significance and architectural design with bespoke motifs and religious connotations, the latter truly is a masterpiece of sorts. Regarded as one of the most enviable places to stay, this is indubitably a tourist person’s dream of total convenience especially when it comes to area attractions.

However, it should be stated at this juncture that the budget friendly Hotel Pennsylvania is adequate accommodation to many occupants since it truly does encapsulate comfort and relaxation. Since many of the visitors who do come to this hotel are either on business or are seeking basic accommodation, the hotel does markedly offer something for everyone. Make note, that there are accommodation units that feature different amenities and facilities depending on the type of room booked. Yet as many tourists or well travelled visitors to Hotel Pennsylvania will state, the main attraction of this veritable spot is – location, location, location.

Whether its business or basic accommodation, the Hotel Pennsylvania New York is the ideal hotel for those who are seeking adequate accommodation with moderate facilities just so that it is the ideal pit stop while experiencing and embracing the main attraction of all, which is New York City. Venture in and enjoy the culture, heritage and hospitality of one of the most famous cities in the world.

In a move that could help Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama gain inroads with white, working class voters and business people, he gained an important endorsement from Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, who has strong ties with the labor class in that state.

So far, Obama has been trailing Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, which is heavy in white, middle class citizens and Catholics, both of whom have shown her preference in recent polls. She has gained the support of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, which has helped bolster her success in the state.

Casey’s endorsement coincides with a six day push in Pennsylvania by Obama as he tries to gather support for the upcoming April 22 primaries, where 158 delegates are at stake. This is the biggest prize left in any upcoming primary, and a key decision in the nomination process. Senator Casey, who shares Obama’s support of gun rights and opposition to abortion, has been described as a quiet and gracious man whose support is greatly appreciated, but was not fought hard to attain. Obama said he did not press hard for the Casey endorsement, but is very grateful to have it. Casey said in a speech that he believed Obama has the necessary skills to lead America in a dangerous world, to take the nation in a new direction that will lead us back to prosperity, and to heal America’s wounds.

When asked about the Casey endorsement, the Clinton campaign expressed their gratitude for the abundance of support they have received so far from the state of Pennsylvania. Representative John Murtha and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter are among Clinton’s supporters in the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, urged Clinton to abandon her bid for the White House. In a radio interview that was broadcast earlier in the week, Leahy said he felt there was no chance of Clinton winning enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination. He further stated that Casey’s endorsement only underscored the support Obama has garnered so far. Leahy upheld Clinton’s right to remain in the race, but said he felt she did not have a good reason to continue, and that the Democratic Party needed to come together in order to have a chance at defeating McCain come the November elections. Pennsylvania is seen as a crucial state for the candidates, with elderly voters and white working class and business people opting for Clinton, while the younger voters seem to prefer Obama.

In an effort to boost support, Obama has stepped up his television campaign, and will be touring the state of Pennsylvania with Casey, who currently shows a 62 percent approval rating among Pennsylvania Democrats. Securing the Pennsylvania nomination could prove to be a crucial turning point in the nomination process, with the decision still up for grabs as the Democratic National Convention in Denver approaches. Democrats are hoping to have a clear-cut candidate in the near future so they can begin strategizing on the November elections.

Pennsylvania’s economy is a major attraction to any businessman who wants to invest in Pennsylvania real estate. This is because the state is the 6th richest in the United States with a total gross product of $430.31 billion in 2005. This gross product would have made the 17th largest in the whole world, had Pennsylvania been a country that is independent on its own right. The state would have been richer than Belgium. On the per capita ranking, the state only ranks 26th among all the states in the U.S. The reason for Pennsylvania’s surging economy must be that it houses 49 of the Fortune 500 companies.

A burgeoning economy also translates to a booming Pennsylvania real estate market. There were a large number of farms in the state’s southeastern area that were sold and were developed for housing due to the increase in land prices as well as taxes. This hike is mirrored by quite a substantial demand for Pennsylvania real estate in the fifth largest US metropolitan area. While it were Montgomery and Bucks counties that first started suburbanization, Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Lancaster followed suit in jumping into the bandwagon. This suburbanization trend in the state made the Pennsylvania real estate market what it is today, a viable market that ensures greater capital gains.

Pennsylvania is one of the U.S.’s five mid-Atlantic States that was known as the Quaker State during the colonial times and later as the Keystone State. This nickname was derived by the state because of its industries and agriculture that it has in common with both the north and south respectively. The state has a coastline that covers up to 51 miles as well as a shoreline of 57 miles. Its largest city is Philadelphia, which houses a major seaport and quite a number of shipyards on its river, named the Delaware. Pennsylvania is the US’ 33rd largest state. The state’s municipalities are integrated as boroughs, cities and townships.

Pennsylvania has a very rich mineral history. It is also one of the states that is very friendly for rock, gem, mineral and fossil collectors. Several hundred of the 4,000+ mineral species have been found in PA. There’s a veritable treasure trove of crystals, fossils and geology history in Pennsylvania waiting to be explored.

These days, it seems like more and more people are looking for unique outdoor adventures. Seen the TV show “Trash and Treasures”? A huge hit! Now, many people old and young are scouring roadsides, quarries and historical mne areas for a little piece of natural history.

Rock collecting is not just a warm weather hobby! Many collectors find autumn and winter collectiong better in some ways as many of the weeds and bugs are gone.

For more information on Penssylvania mineral collecting, free PA rockround links and resources, visit: PA Prospector – Rock, Mineral and Fossil Collecting

And rock on!