Looks like there’s lots of fun charity events this weekend. If your interests fall more towards electronic entertainment, I’d recommend dropping by Gamers Give Back. All proceeds from the tournament and sale will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Take a look at the prizes and items for sale if you’re planning on coming, there’s lots of good deals on holiday presents there. And if you can’t make it, consider donating directly to the hospital by buying something from their wish list.

When: Saturday, December 1st, 2007 from 5-8 pm
Where: CyberConxion @ 1710 Murray Ave in Squirrel Hill

Doug Derda, more commonly known around the Pittsburgh blogosphere as Father Spoon from Should I Drink That is working to beat his fundraising goal from last year for the MDA. Should I Drink That is an excellent podcast that is popular here in Pittsburgh and with beer drinking fans beyond Pittsburgh. The Should I Drink That guys have done a great job with their podcast and they do a great job supporting local businesses.
I have had the opportunity to get to know Father Spoon and Sick Puppy from PodCamp and from some of the beer festivals around Pittsburgh. I think they are awesome podcasters and Pittsburghers and I happy to help Doug support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Doug is trying to raise $2000 by the end of November (yes, today). I hope you will visit his fundraising page and make a contribution.
Click here to support Doug’s Fundraising Page for the MDA http://www.douglasderda.com/mda
Even if you can make a $5 or $10 contribution, please contribute and help spread the word.

Joy of Cookies Tour

• Start your holiday shopping in Lawrenceville and collect cookie recipes from shops and restaurants.
• Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• A shuttle will be available on Saturday
• Shops run from 35th to 56th street.

UnWrapping the Union Project

• Annual Fundraiser for the Union Project – community center & cafe in East Liberty
• Food, drink, holiday fun
• Sat. December 1 7-10pm
• Union Project, 801 N. Negley Ave.

Pittsburgh Party for a Purpose

• PGH Party for a Purpose benefiting the Mentoring Partnership of Western Pennsylvania
• Saturday, December 1, 9pm – 2am, 21+
• Déjà Vu Third Floor VIP Lounge, 2106 Penn Ave in the Strip
• $10 donation at the door

Focus 412

• Monthly photography show of local Flickr users – this saturday features Carmon Rinehart
• Remedy in Lawrenceville, 5121 Butler Street
• Saturday December 1, 8pm
• Bring your camera

New Guild Studio Holiday Open House

• Pair of artists who specialize in large scale religious art
• Sat. Dec. 1 & Sun. Dec 2. 11-6
• 700 Braddock Ave.

WearPittsburgh.com launches

• new online t-shirt of hilarious Pittsburgh t-shirts
• Statue of Liberty waving a terrible towel
• Parking chair

Next Weekend….
East End Brewing Charity Open House

• Sat. December 8, 12-3 and 5-8
• Scott from East End Brewery opens his doors for beer and food to benefit PLEA.
• PLEA is a local organization that does simple but amazing things
  for families of kids with emotional and developmental challenges like
  Autism
• Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door

First Fridays on Penn Ave

I was already going to post about this event because anything that is happening in Braddock is usually worth a visit. So when I received this email from the Deputy Mayor of Braddock I knew it would be worth a look. A chance to do some holiday shopping in Braddock (and not the mall) in another plus.
I then looked up the website for New Guild Studios – www.newguildstudio.com
New Guild Studio is definitly worth a visit – they specialize in religious art – restoration or construction of some large scale pieces.

I have always wondered who works on these types of things, especially after a visit to St. Nicholas Church – if you haven’t stopped in there yet – the murals are AMAZING.

New Guild Studio Holiday Open House
Sat. Dec. 1 & Sun. Dec 2. 11-6
700 Braddock Ave.

If you are a regular reader of IheartPGH, you will know that I am a HUGE fan of the Union Project. The Union Project is a former church that has been lovingly restored into a community center and cafe in East Liberty. I have been working with a great group of people to put together UnWrapped. UnWrapped in the annual holiday fundraiser for the Union Project.
Great food, drinks, music and lots of silent auction items will be available. We have a great team working to put the event together and I think the decorations are going to look amazing.

UnWrapped at the Union Project
Saturday, December 1
7-10pm
801 N. Negley Ave
$35 in advance, $45 at the door
More info: UnionProject.org

For those of you that may not know, Flickr is a photosharing blog that allows people to not only talk about their lives, but show the world what it looks like through the lens of their camera. Pittsburgh is fortunate enough to have one of the more active groups around, and in an attempt to bolster this, we have created Focus412. Basically, Focus412 is a monthly photography show that features the talents of some of Pittsburgh’s finest and most eclectic photographers. This Saturday, we will be showcasing the Carmon Rinehart. Bring your camera (we’re not snobs, any camera will do), come knock back a beer with us, and have some fun. Our shows are held at Remedy, which is located at 5121 Butler Street in Lawrenceville. The party starts at 8.