It is that time of year… soup season… and it is really soup season this winter. This Saturday is the 6th annual South Side Soup Contest.  Soup Hoppers get to stop by different locations along Carson Street and sample soup between Noon-3pm and vote on the best soups of the afternoon.

Three Days of Crafts and Festivities in Pittsburgh!
Visit with 70 artisans and craftspeople during three days of arts, music & festivities as the I Made It! Market joins Pittsburgh’s SouthSide Works Exposed.

Artists Market will be open:
Friday, July 10: 5 – 10 pm
Saturday, July 11: 2 – 10 pm
Sunday, July 12: 2 – 6 pm

SouthSide Works Exposed is an amazing mix of a music festival, artist’s market, and sidewalk sales … but most of all a celebration of art in life. The setting for the event is in and around the Town Square of SouthSide Works.
Parking garage rates after 5 pm Friday and all weekend are only $3.00!

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

• Pop City – Spark lights the creative, high-tech spirit of children and young families – This is a new program from the Sprout Fund that is focused on providing funding for kid activites. "Spark provides funding for projects and initiatives that will energize children ages birth to eight in the creative use of technology and the media. Individuals, organizations, teachers, startups, artists—everyone, actually—will be challenged to think about early childhood education and technology in a new,exciting way."
• Pop City – Soup’s On in the South Side at annual steamy fest this Saturday – This Saturday soup-goers will have an opportunity to warm their toes on some of the best soups on the South Side at the 5th Annual South Side Mid-Winter Soup Contest. For $5 and a canned good, soup-lovers will receive a wristband, event map and ballot to sample soups all afternoon, either on foot or by trolley.
• Pop City – Just say fro-yo: Karmic Yogurt first to bring tart sensation to Pittsburgh – New frozen yogurt shop to open in Shadyside in March. I was just saying that Pittsbuirgh needs more snack places!

Click here to see more links we like.

Image by TfUnQ via FlickrI was just wondering if these guys were going to be organizing an event for this year.  I did a little research and this event has made it to IheartPGH every year (2005, 2006, 2007).  Santarchy is an afternoon bar crawl where everyone dresses like Santa.

The Santas will meet at the fountain by the Cheesecake Factory in Southside works at 2pm on Saturday, December 13, 2008.  Click here for all the details.  The event is free – you pay for your own drinks.  Just wear your Santa costume.
YES, you MUST wear a costume. NO, you can NOT get by with a red shirt and Santa hat. BE CREATIVE, ya lazy bum! You don’t have to look like Santa, but you MUST NOT look like you. Jeans, in particular, will be removed and destroyed without warning.

Homemade Ho Hos, originally uploaded by IheartPGH.

I was finishing lunch with Friend of IheartPGH who suggested that we check out the newest coffee shop on the south side. Big Dog Coffee is located on Sarah street near the South Side works. This place is beautiful – the counter is an old wooden antique, bright walls, comfortable seats (I am sitting in a rocking chair as I write this), there is a patio for outside seating when the weather is a bit warmer. The main room has a lovely fire place – if IheartPGH was a podcast I would be recording the sound of a crackling fire for you.

his place is really that cozy. The desert counter is beautiful and they have homemade ho hos. I think I had forgotten about ho hos, but the idea of a homemade one is amazing. Watch out cupcakes, there is a new tasty treat in town.

For more info on Big Dog Coffee…

• Big Dog Coffee Shop perks up South Side in renovated Sarah St. property, Pop City Media
• Big Dogs, erked 
• Hidden Treasures, Dave and Betsy’s Blog 

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

• L.L.Bean Funds Venture Outdoors Inclusivity Initiative : Venture Outdoors – L.L.Bean has agreed to provide a $20,000 grant to Venture Outdoors in celebration of their Pittsburgh store opening at Ross Park Mall. This funding will be used to jump-start our Inclusivity Initiative, as well as help launch our new Family-Focused Trip Series in 2009.
• Jupe has a blog – I am so happy to find this bolg. Jupe is a great boutique on Carson Street. The ladies that own this store are great and I really appreciate that they offer lots of affordable items of clothing and accessories. Another great place to shop Pittsburgh.
• Pittsburgh Restaurant Week is back for lunhc and dinner – In addition to their regular menu, participating restaurants will offer a three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu for $35.00 per person and may offer a three-course lunch menu for $25.00 per person. Make your reservations now! Contact participating restaurants directly for reservations and information.

Click here to see more links we like.