Where in the 'Burgh?

So, I fear the cannon may make this one a little easy for some of you. Where in the 'Burgh am I?

Walking in Pittsburgh - Tim Ruff

This dude really, really likes the 'Burgh. If you are familiar with the original song (Walking in Memphis), you will also appreciate his cleverness. This video also has some great Pittsburgh landmarks featured, and is appropriate for today's festivities! Nice job Tim!
GO STEELERS!!!!

What to Do? Two Upcoming Events Highlight the 'Burgh's Creative Side

WATCH THE CREATIVE PROCESS

As part of the Art Out of the Box project, Polish Hill, Central North Side, Lawrenceville, Friendship and the South Side will host a temporary installation on their landscape. For one week, artists will set up in an "art box", and the public will be able to observe their creative process first hand. The resulting works will be presented as part of the Gallery Crawl, which is held bi-annually in Downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The project was conceived by Samantha McDonough, a supporter of community-based art initiatives, and has the support of many local organizations including the The Sprout Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Friendship Development Associates, South Side Local Development Company, Polish Hill Civic Association, Central Northside Neighborhood Council and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Local councilman Bill Peduto, has put a call out to artists who would like to participate in the project on his website. Please visit for more information!

EAT, DRINK AND BE FUNNY

ToonSeum Pittsburgh and The Church Brew Works have teamed up to bring you a Valentine's Day Event like no other. In my opinion, Romance and Humor have always gone hand in hand, so The Valentine Couples Drawing Workshop and Beer Tasting is tops on my list of things to do on the big V-Day weekend. Hosted by ToonSeum's Joe Wos, the event, held on Friday, February 11th, is $50 per couple ($45 for members of the ToonSeum), and begins at 6:30pm. Visit the Eventbrite site to register, or ToonSeum's website for more information. Act fast, as space is limited and it is sure to be a popular event!

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's Annual Report: Downtown More Diverse and Dynamic

Each year, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) compiles an annual report, which reflects upon life in the Heart of the City. The report is relevant to commuters and residents alike, since in addition to taking into consideration such factors as the average median age of Downtown residents (25-29 by the way), and average income (one-third can boast incomes of over $100,000), this year's report also revealed that the use of public transit increased from 48% to 53% since 2003, and the average commute is 38 miles.
I know these things because the Post Gazette was kind enough to plop a free edition of the Sunday Extra on my doorstep this weekend. The article, written by Sally Kalson of the PG, appears on the front page.
In the past, weekends often brought desolation as commuters and theater-goers emptied out of the city. The Cultural District keeps things hopping in the evening, but what of the leisurely daytime hours? According to Kalson's article, Mike Edwards, PDP President, says more people are coming Downtown on the weekends to exercise, of all things! He credits local organization Riverlife for their advocacy of riverfront activities.
Things could get exciting on the Real Estate front (three cheers!). Edwards and others have plans to lobby Harrisburg for an Historic Tax Credit; a financing tool which would ease the cost of building Downtown for the developers, and in turn, would help to make Downtown Living more affordable.
The report is good news for the city, as the continued success of our Downtown growth is essential for continued success of Pittsburgh overall.

Read more on the PDP's Annual Report in the Post Gazette's Editorial Section online
See the PDP's Annual Report online
Register to attend PDP's annual meeting

Where in the 'Burgh??

Over yonder at my new blog, The Last Forty, which chronicles my descent in to old age (ahem), I decided to take a look at the city from a New Perspective. Although my day job and 'Burgh Living require me to take photos, I don't often just step back and take photos of the little moments of the 'Burgh that make it, well, beautiful. You can be in the most mundane spot (like say, grocery shopping), and be awestruck at a small and often passed-by moment, that makes that second of 'Burgh existence kind of special. I wanted to share these little moments with you, and I am going to make it a series, where you, the reader, guess where in the 'Burgh I am that day.

Let's get started. Where in the 'Burgh am I?

The answer will be posted on our Facebook page next Wednesday (and be sure to give it a "like" while you are there)!

Happy guessing!

Rookie of the Year: I Resolve To Be a Better 'Burgher

Here is the Rookie's latest contribution to 'Burgh Living! Her insights have been invaluable thus far, don't you agree? Well, this one won't disappoint! Read on to see what Mel wants us to resolve to do for our city in 2011.

Rookie of the Year: 2011 Resolutions for Pittsburghers

Being new in Pittsburgh, I don’t claim to know everything and everyone in it. But based on my experiences thus far in the city, I have a few suggestions for ‘Burgers to add to their 2011 resolutions:

Go downtown

For reaffirmation, read my first two posts here and here. Stop this nonsense about the city “dying” when a normal workday ends. Sure, it’s not a 24-hour city, but we’re not planning any funerals. Not all businesses shutter their windows at 6pm. Only those who perpetuate that rumor will never experience what downtown has to offer. And for that reason, these businesses NEED you to stick around a little longer. And tell that naysayer otherwise. Also of note: I have found no fewer than five new downtown establishments offering Sunday brunch as well.

Visit a new neighborhood

Piggy-backing on my first resolution, travel to lands unknown – a place that you have: a) not traveled to in the last decade or b) never been. Be a tourist for a day in a different neighborhood and experience its culture, diversity and local fare (nom!). Most everything is new to me in the ‘Burgh, but I always find it shocking the lack of experience some life-long residents have in regards to even the most popular highlights of this city.

Shop local

Make a conscious effort to shop locally owned stores and restaurants and locate neighboring farmers to provide you with the freshest of produce, meat and dairy. Shop at the amazing Public Market (I’m still surprised how many people haven’t at least taken ONE trip here). Adopt “Pittsburgh-centric goods and wares” as your shopping mantra.

Be environmentally friendly – by using it!

Pittsburgh is surrounded by a variety of amazing natural resources. Take advantage by joining activity-oriented groups, such as Venture Outdoors. Make a point to use Kayak Pittsburgh this spring and summer. Join a meet-up group for hiking (yes, even in winter). Bike to work. Jump in the freakin’ Mon River on New Year’s Day. Get. Outside.

Support your local teams.

Yes, we know what color you bleed. And in what nation you live. Sports lovers, I ask you to unite at some of the smaller, non-televised athletic events. There’s a new arena football league. But there’s also a rugby team. A rowing organization. A roller derby league. A women’s football team. And there’s even freaking soccer. Spread a little of that black-and-gold spirit further into the community.

Stop bashing the darn place!

I had the fortunate chance (*extreme eye roll*) to sit near two girls at the license bureau. They both continually ripped on the city for nearly an hour (and gave ridiculous assumptions about “how much better” it is in other metropolitans without having ever stepped a foot in these places). This is not something special to the ‘Burgh, as I got my fair share of this self-deprecating attitude when living in Cleveland.

If you are truly, truly in constant objection with where you live, you CAN relocate. If you HATE the snow, you know there are places in the US where IT DOES NOT DO THIS. Right? I find it so draining to listen to. And incredibly small-minded.

I CHOOSE to live here. I mean, I had an initial reason to move, but I had to make a decision just the same. Do people not understand that you can… leave? If some extenuating circumstance is keeping you here, find something positive to make you a little less miserable. Take into account one (or all!) of my resolutions and maybe you will enjoy Pittsburgh as much as I do.

What resolution would you suggest for Pittsburghers?

My Day Job is Out For Blood - Pittsburgh REALTORS® Set a Goal of 100 Pints By Valentines Day

The REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (RAMP) invites the public to help REALTORS® give the gift of life and reach their goal of 100 pints of blood by Valentine’s Day. The REALTORS® blood drive is being held at four convenient locations during January and February. The blood drive is one of this year’s REALTOR® Care projects as RAMP celebrates 100 of delivering the American Dream to Pittsburgh’s communities.

The dates and locations of the blood drives are as follows:

NORTH LOCATION - January 19, 2011 - 1:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (2500 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA 15090)

SOUTH LOCATION - January 25, 2011 - 1:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
RAMP Headquarters (1427 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15226)

WEST LOCATION - February 3, 2011 - 1:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Moon Township Public Library (1700 Beaver Grade Rd, Suite 100, Moon Township, PA 15108-3109)

EAST LOCATION - February 9, 2011 - 1:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
William E. Anderson Library (1037 Stotler Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235)

To schedule your life-giving appointment, go to http://www.centralbloodbank.org and search by group name RAMP.

RAMP and the RAMP Foundation will be sponsoring three additional REALTOR® Care community outreach projects this year; several 100-can food drives with regional food banks in the spring, three Habitat for Humanity volunteer days in the summer, and a 100-garment outerwear drive with Project Bundle-up in the fall.

Since 1911, the REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh has served real estate professionals and the community as western Pennsylvania's most effective voice for private property rights and industry professionalism. RAMP — which was originally known as the Pittsburgh Real Estate Board, began with 30 members and has since grown to include nearly 2,200 REALTORS®. For online media resources about the REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, visit http://www.ramprealtors.com.

Kevin Smith: 'Burgh's Biggest Fan

So, I think that Kevin Smith is a fan of the 'Burgh. At least that what his recent stream of Pittsburgh-centric tweets seem to be telling me. Of course, he is a pretty big hockey fan, and the Winter Classic has him all fired up. Dogma (1999) was filmed here in the 'Burgh. I was a lucky-duck and got to meet the director way back then. The book store where I worked opened early so the cast and crew could come in and get coffee (they were shooting in an empty toy warehouse next door). I have a whole other Matt Damon/Ben Affleck story too, but that is for another time....

He returned in 2008 to film "Zack and Miri Make a Porno", and he has never been quiet about his love for the City of Champions.

A few did-you-know's:

Did you know: that Smith met his wife in the 'Burgh

Did you know: that Smith proposed to said wife at the(then)Westin William Penn

Did you know: he lived in the Cork Factory while filming "Zack and Miri....."

Did you know: he ate a s**t ton of pierogies the last time he was here

See.....

This is just a little taste of the big 'Burgh Meal that Kevin served up on Twitter today. To see more, follow him: http://twitter.com/thatkevinsmith.

PS. He also has a really cute dog, or at least he has a really cute dog in his avatar. We all know about me and dogs, and hockey......

GO PENS!!!!!