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Rob Frank’s comment on the message boards today is a good reminder about what’s really important this holiday season as we run around buying our Zhu Zhu hamsters and Snuggies. If we’re going to spend money for Christmas or Hanukkah or whatever holiday(s) you observe, then why not also help someone that may need a [...]

Business exec to head Allegheny County parks funding board Monday, November 23, 2009 By Timothy McNulty Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and U.S. Steel Chairman and CEO John Surma announced today that Christine Fulton, a longtime fundraising and real estate expert, has been named the executive director of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. [...]

Rich Lord at the PG is reporting that a deal has been reached between elected officials and the Carnegie Library to address library closures, mergers and relocations. Carnegie Library staff will recommend to their Board in December that Beechview, Hazelwood, Lawrenceville and West End branches stay open in 2010; that the Carrick and Knoxville branches [...]

New ‘Bridge Party’ to feature music, food, children’s entertainment Friday, November 20, 2009 By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Downtown buildings and holiday decorations won’t be the only things aglow during this evening’s celebration of Light Up Night. So will the brake lights of drivers trying to navigate the Golden Triangle. With the typical Light Up [...]

KDKA has a thorough list of bridge and street closing so I’ve replicated it below. You can go directly to their site as well if you’d like more information. They’ve also included a pretty nifty printable brochure containing a list of Light Up Night events downtown. Not that you’ll need it. You’re going to be in Mt. [...]

Downtown Pittsburgh will have the usual Light Up Night events this Friday to kick off the 2009 holiday season. You can find those listed here.  (Go  here for bridge and road closures and changes to bus routes.) BUT… …wouldn’t you rather avoid the parking and traffic hassle and standing in line for the Incline and walk [...]

The MWCDC wants to hear what you think about adding 18 miles of trails to the Grandview Scenic Byway Park.  Ilyssa Manspeizer will present a preliminary draft of the trail plan that’s being proposed at the MWCDC meeting/forum tomorrow evening at 7:30PM at the Senior Center and then solicit feedback and answer questions. If you’re [...]

I’ve had some interesting conversations with people since the Planning Commission approved the new zoning designation at One Grandview last week. Some are in favor of the development, some are opposed. The theme that emerged most often in these discussions was the notion that we’re in an “us” vs. “them” battle. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t [...]

Multiple studies have shown that greenery helps people to relax, which reduces aggression. Green spaces can also serve as gathering places and bring people together.  And well maintained green spaces can discourage criminal behavior by increasing surveillance and giving a cue to criminals that ours is a neighborhood with which you don’t want to mess (I was [...]

KDKA-TV’s coverage of the City Planning Commission’s decision to approve the zoning change at One Grandview was decidedly made more provocative for the 6pm news yesterday evening. Patrice King Brown called Desmone & Associates design “space-age” and Andy Sheehan described the building as “a towering development of glass and glitter.” You can see a repeat [...]