Now last I heard Pennsylvania was the only state in the country without a state budget with that in mind I was looking for info on something else and stumbled across the following article indicating that Gov. Rendell has decalred it to be “Cyber Security Awareness Month”  (I’ll include the complete release after my little rant ….. anyway if we don’t have a state budget why are new declarations being made that aren’t vital toactual running of Pennsylvania’s services when last I knew there were state employees not getting paid.  I understand that cyber security is something everyone online should be aware of, but at the same time can we get a budget passed rather then raise awareness of things that aren’t vital to the survival of Pennsylvania residents??????

Here’s the press release dated October 1, 2009 and found at ….. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=2999&PageID=431162&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/news_releases/governor_s_office/news_releases/governor_rendell_proclaims_october_as_cyber_security_awareness_month.html

10-01-2009 News for Immediate Release Oct. 1, 2009 Governor Rendell Proclaims October as Cyber Security Awareness Month Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed October as “Cyber Security Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania and urges citizens to take steps to stay safe online while at home and work. “Pennsylvania is committed to protecting citizens’ information and privacy,” said Governor Rendell. “The Internet has become part of everyday life. Everyone shares responsibility for keeping cyberspace safe.” Last year, Pennsylvania was recognized as one of the 10 most digitally advanced state governments by the Center for Digital Government. Pennsylvania is also a recognized leader in cyber security issues. In 2007, Pennsylvania’s information security architecture program was one of only 11 state information technology initiatives recognized for outstanding achievement by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. Highlights of Pennsylvania’s information security program include: • Security policies for data encryption, privacy roles and acceptable use; • Identity protection and access restrictions; • Assessments to verify system configuration, documentation accuracy, and staff expertise; • Technologies to ensure all commonwealth agencies consistently deploy security programs; • Cyber security drills; and • Security awareness education for employees. “We think it’s important to set a high standard,” said Brenda Orth, the state’s chief information officer. “Pennsylvania has recently applied for more than $100 million to expand broadband service statewide.  Business, health and educational institutions will be better able to serve our citizens with this capacity.  But more data and more connections can also translate into greater vulnerabilities. Everyone—the private sector, nonprofit partners, educational and health institutions, government and even citizens just surfing the Web—can play a part in making the Internet safer.” Orth offers these tips to citizens: • If you work with data, make sure to be aware of and follow the cyber security policies of your workplace. • Never respond to unsolicited e-mails that ask for personal information. Such emails often use legitimate “From:” addresses, well-known logos or links to reputable businesses in their messages. Some may ask for personal information such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, passwords, etc. • Never open anything from an unknown source. If you do not recognize the sender’s name, don’t open the email. If you recognize the name but the contents appear questionable, delete the message right away. • Never click on links or attachments from unknown sources. • Never click on a link that only has an IP address. An IP address typically contains a series of numbers divided by periods and takes the user directly to another computer. They often look something like this: http://123.456.78.910/main.html. • Never run, copy, install, or download programs or plug-ins from unknown sources. Learn more about the importance of cyber security awareness by visiting: http://www.cybersecurity.state.pa.us. Media Contacts: Nancy Beckwith, Office of Administration; 717-346-2194 Mia DeVane, Governor’s Office; 717-783-1116 Editor’s Note: The text of the Governor’s proclamation follows. PROCLAMATION CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH October 2009 WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s citizens, schools, libraries, businesses and other organizations use the Internet for a variety of tasks, including maintaining contact with family and friends, managing personal finances, performing research, enhancing education and conducting business; and WHEREAS, critical sectors are increasingly reliant on information systems to support financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, health care and emergency response systems; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was recognized as one of the 10 most digitally advanced state governments in the nation by the Center for Digital Government’s 2008 Digital States Survey, a comprehensive biannual review of digital solutions and best practices; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has applied for $108 million in federal funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand high-speed Internet service to people, institutions and communities throughout Pennsylvania—an investment that will boost the state’s economic development and education systems for years to come; and WHEREAS, Internet infrastructure faces an increasing threat of malicious cyber attack, loss of privacy, identity theft and fraud; and WHEREAS, maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which government has a critical role and awareness of computer security essentials will improve the security of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s information infrastructure; and WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s information security architecture program was one of only 11 state information technology initiatives recognized for outstanding achievement in information technology by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers; and WHEREAS, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center was established to provide a collaborative mechanism for states and local governments–including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania–to enhance their cyber security policies and programs; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (www.us-cert.gov) , the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (www.msisac.org), the National Cyber Security Alliance (www.staysafeonline.org) and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, (www.nascio.org) have declared October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month; and all citizens are encouraged to visit these sites, along with www.cybersecurity.state.pa.us to learn about cyber security and put that knowledge into practice in their homes, schools, workplaces and businesses. THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2009 as CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH. GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, and the City of Harrisburg, on this twenty-second day of September in the Year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-fourth. Edward G. Rendell Governor

This article was found in the Warren Times Observer on October 5, 2009 at the following address …. http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/522638.html?nav=5012

String of canoes creates ‘titanic’ appearance in Allegheny River

POSTED: October 5, 2009

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Photo by Dean Wells
String of canoes
Canoes, strung together with rope, curve downstream from the Hickory Street Bridge in Warren in a display designed to bring attention to “Titanic the Musical,” which will be presented at the Struthers Library Theater Oct. 22-25.

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By DEAN WELLS

dwells@timesobserver.com

This maiden voyage ended on a much higher note than that of its predecessor.

On Saturday morning, cast and crew of "Titanic the Musical," along with a bevy of volunteers drew quite a crowd to the Allegheny River just downstream of the Hickory Street Bridge. Ringleader John Beard, a minor cast member in the play, attached a cable to one of the bridge's support pillars and proceeded to attach 52 canoes each 17 feet long in an attempt to illustrate the length of the doomed passenger ship for the public.

Beard was assisted by Josh and Piper Lindell, owners of a pair of local canoe liveries, Allegheny Oufitters and Indian Waters.

The Lindells donated the 52 canoes used during the stunt, along with the use of a jet boat.

The event was designed to bring attention to "Titanic the Musical," being presented by the Warren Players at Struthers Library Theater on Oct. 22-25.

Judging by the turnout, the event was a success.

Spectators lined the Hickory Street Bridge and gathered along Pennsylvania Ave. and Crescent Park to watch the canoes being attached in sections to the bridge. It took approximately an hour for volunteers to get the entire flotilla approximately nearly 890 feet long from end to end into the river.

Casualties were limited to two people tumbling into the water during the canoe loading process.

"You couldn't ask for any better weather," Beard said. "And the people who came out were in great humor. And the people coming to watch, it made it just so much better. Everyone in the community just kicked in. Everyody."

Spectators lining the Hickory Street Bridge watched with amusement as the last pieces of the flotilla were put in place and swung out to the center of the river thanks to the current and efforts of the paddlers on board.

"This is just great, just great," said Mark Davis as he and his wife Karen watched from the bridge.

"It's not something you see everyday," another spectator said.

"This is just . . . bizarre," said Piper Lindell, shaking her head and grinning as she videotaped her husband shuttle the final three canoeists onto the flotilla with his jet boat from the bridge above. "Just . . . bizarre."

House Fall 2009 Season Premier
This piece is about my thoughts regarding the fall 2009 season premier of House which aired on Fox on Sept. 21, 2009
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2202575/house_fall_2009_season_premier.html