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Too-long-didn't-read (TL;DR) version: We need to raise some serious money. If you'd like to help sponsor our upcoming video webcast of International Village, prices start at $100 for a 30-second hourly commercial, or $250 for a 60-second hourly commercial. Thank you!

This is the least pleasant thing about running a non-profit: Begging for money. That's why we don't do it very often.

As we've done for the past five years, we are again planning to webcast McKeesport's International Village this Aug. 12, 13 and 14. We are planning both continuous video of the main stage, as well as a daily one-hour show from Renzie over WEDO (810) each night.

(We could use a camera person or two. If you're interested in volunteering, email tubecitytiger@gmail.com.)

Coming into this year's International Village, we are seriously in debt, to the tune of about $3,500. Much of this money was borrowed from me, and was advanced to Tube City Community Media Inc. as an "I.O.U."

That's the bad news.

The good news is that the money was spent for a very good reason: We are in the process, finally, of converting Tube City Community Media Inc. into a tax-deductible, charitable organization. The IRS accepted our application on June 13, and we should have a decision within 90 to 180 days.

. . .

About $3,000 of our debt represents legal fees and IRS filing costs. The remainder (about $500) was spent on three digital recorders and microphones that we're using for our weekly podcasts.

We have also, finally, convinced PayPal to accept donations on behalf of Tube City Community Media Inc. (For a while, they didn't seem to believe we existed.)

Effective immediately, you can now contribute directly to the support of Tube City Online via PayPal to tubecitytiger@gmail.com. Your donation (minus PayPal's fees) goes directly to our bank account at Parkview Community Federal Credit Union in McKeesport.

If the IRS approves our application --- and our attorney seems to think we're a good bet --- then, I'm told, any donations made to Tube City Community Media Inc. after June 13, 2014, could --- could! --- be tax-deductible as charitable contributions. This is not legal advice; consult a tax advisor for more information.

(Warning: It's not a sure thing, and your donation may not turn out to be tax-deductible. "Could" means "it might not happen.")

. . .

If you, your company, union, club, church or other group would like to sponsor our coverage of International Village, please email tubecitytiger@gmail.com, or call (412) 614-9659.

We would also like to have a sponsor to defray the cost of our weekly podcast, which is heard Friday mornings over WEDO (810), and then archived on Stitcher and iTunes.

Again, if your company, union, club or other group would like to sponsor our podcast for a single episode, for several episodes or for a year, contact tubecitytiger@gmail.com or call (412) 614-9659.