Business Notes

The Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair will celebrate its 67th year of open competition of research projects in the fields of science, mathematics and engineering on March 31 and April 1 on the Club Level at Heinz Field. The competition is open to all students in grades six-12 from Allegheny and 26 surrounding counties. Nearly 700 students will compete for more than $300,000 in cash and scholarships. To volunteer for March 31 (free T-shirt, free parking), contact the Science Fair office at 412-237-1534 or visit the Web site, www.pittsburghsciencefair.org.

New Business/New Offices

Big Lots will hold a grand opening at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at 612 William Marks Way, Munhall. It will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local dignitaries, when Big Lots will donate $2,500 to the Steel Valley School District. It operates more than 1,400 retail stores in 47 states.

Bravo Design Group, a graphic communications firm, opened at 11 Stanwix St., Downtown. Founder and president is Giuseppe Francioni and Bruce S. Cridlebaugh is creative director. For more information, visit the Web site, www.bravodesigngrp.com or call 412-745-4844.

Yram J. Groff, M.D., opened a practice, Groff Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, 4815 Liberty Ave., Suite 204, Bloomfield. Call 412-683-1717.

The L. Robert Kimball & Associates Inc. Bridge Group relocated from Moon to the Frick Building, Downtown.

Scholarships

Robert Morris University got a $50,000 gift from the Michael Baker Corp., Moon, to create an endowed scholarship to support engineering students in its School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. It will benefit full-time undergraduate engineering majors with priority granted to students with grade point averages of 3.0 or higher who demonstrate need.

Grants/loans

The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $50,000 one-year grant to the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast and to address and reduce the unequal burden of cancer among racial and ethnic minorities and the medically underserved women in the greater Pittsburgh area. The ENCORE plus program provides education, screening and support services.

Awards/Honors

Jack Edward Driscoll of Bethel Park earned membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table. Driscoll is a 2-year member of the Round Table, whose membership represents the top life insurance and financial service professionals worldwide.

Mark Welch was designated Certified Turnaround Professional. Welch is consulting manager, Morris Anderson & Associates, Des Plaines, Ill., and a member of the Turnaround Management Association Pittsburgh Chapter.

AIReS will be featured on in-flight radio programs on US Airways and Northwest Airlines this month through May.

Pittsburgh International Airport was recently given top honors in several categories of the Airport Revenue News 2006 Best Concessions Poll. Pittsburgh International Airport and its Airmall earned awards for Airport with Best Concessions Design, Airport with the Most Unique Services and Airport with the Best Overall Concessions Program in the medium-size airport category. And retailers won awards: XpresSpa, Best New Specialty Retail Concept; L'Occitane en Provence, Best Airport Retail Store Design; Hudson News, Best Airport News & Gift Operator; Airport Wireless palmOne, Best Retail Specialty Brand Operator and Best Overall Airport Retailer; and The Paradies Shop, Retailer with the Highest Regard for Customer Service.

Jim Vincent, director of online training for the School of Adult and Continuing Education and associate professor of English and organizational studies, Robert Morris University, received the eCollege Excellence in Online Training Award during the organization's CiTE conference this month in Denver.

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