Open a College Savings Account in September and Save Money

Families can save $50 by enrolling online in the college savings program operated by the state treasurer’s office in September. From now through the end of September, the PA 529 GSP plan is offering free online enrollment for all new accounts that are opened this month, saving families the $50 enrollment fee.

To open or contribute to an account, visit www.PA529.com or call 1-800-440-4000. Constituents may use the code “Jay Costa” when they enroll online in the PA 529 GSP to waive the $50 enrollment fee.

The contributions made to PA 529 plans are tax deductible and when they are used for qualified education expenses are state and federal tax exempt.

PA 529 contributions grow at the rate of tuition inflation. The lawmaker said that if a family saves enough for a semester at a state system university today, there will be enough to pay for another semester at the school in the future – regardless of tuition increases in the future.

Voter ID

Remember to make sure you have a valid photo ID when you go to cast your vote in November.

Find out more and get the forms you need to get your voter ID card, here’s how:

Costa Crickets…
What’s all the chirping about?

Free Green Festival at Hartwood Acres

The 3rd Annual Allegheny Green & Innovation Festival is Saturday, September 29th, at Hartwood Acres Park from 11 am to 4 pm. Everyone is invited to attend this free event to learn more about sustainable living and innovation. The event coincides with “Hay Day,” Allegheny County’s family, fall festival.

Billed as a zero-waste event, the festival will offer “earth-friendly” food and product vendors, crafters, demonstrations of green living activities, children’s programs and more. Admission and parking are free.

Everyone is asked to provide items to donate such as:

• A non-perishable food item for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank;
• Reusable tote bags (used by the Food Bank to distribute food) for The Pittsbugh Tote Bag Project;
• A hard-to-recycle hard plastic tops, such as the cap to a milk jug, to drop them off at the “Green Grandma” table to learn more about where to take them in the future;

New or gently used medical items (scrubs, gently used nursing/medical uniforms, nebulizers, canes, crutches, walkers, shower benches, hearing aids) to benefit Global Links.

Learn more by visiting the Allegheny Green & Innovation website.

Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf

The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on Swissvale Avenue in Edgewood is holding a Community Block Party on September 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For Talent Show and audition information, please visit their website at www.wpsd.org.

Bicycle Locks Available

The Edgewood Borough police department has an ample supply of bike locks to distribute. Cycling is an increasingly popular sport in our region and these locks can stop bike thieves dead in their tracks. The locks are free for Edgewood Borough residents and can be obtained at the borough building.

Senior Citizens Ride Free with Port Authority

Senior citizens age 65 or over who present a Pennsylvania Senior Citizen ID Card or a Medicare card at the time of fare payment are entitled to ride for free on the bus, T or Mon Incline at all times.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens (paid for by proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery) sponsors this program and reimburses Port Authority for all senior rides.

Application for the Pennsylvania Senior Citizen ID Card must be made in person at Port Authority's Downtown Service Center at 534 Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh or at selected Senior Citizen Centers throughout Allegheny County. Call 412-442-2000 for the location nearest you. When applying, you must present one of the following as proof of age:

Rainbow Kitchen in Homestead Offers Case Management

Rainbow Kitchen Community Services in Homestead offers much more than a hot meal those in need. The organization also offers case management services to individuals and families on both a short-term and an extended basis. Immediate/crisis assistance and advocacy are provided as needed, including referral to other social service agencies for additional help.

Rainbow Kitchen responds to more than 200 such requests a month, providing low-income families and individuals in our community with direct assistance, referrals, assistance in accessing resources, and follow-up for immediate or crisis needs in areas that include:

The goal of extended Case Management is to provide ongoing aid to participants as they work towards self-sufficiency. The program is funded in part by a grant provided by the PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development. If you or someone you know is in need, contact Rainbow Kitchen 135 East 9th Avenue Homestead, PA 15120, (412) 464-1892, or visit them on the web at RainbowKitchen.org.

Stay Connected

For updates on this and other legislative initiatives, stay in touch with me on the Internet through my website or on Facebook.