Image by peterp via Flickr

Get ready for a vertical hike – Pittsburgh is home to thousands of city steps that help people get up and down the hills around this city.  Each year the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association organizes a self guided tour of some of the different steps and points of interest around the slopes.

Sunday, October 4, 2009 – Noon to 4pm
Register at 21st and Josephine Streets – UPMC South Side Lot
Walkers will enjoy all of these features as they tour, at their own pace, approximately 2,700 steps and the intertwining streets and sidewalks that connect them. The courses have changed to offer a different perspective of the South Side Slopes. Trekkers should find the routes pedestrian friendly, especially as they explore the middle areas of the Slopes neighborhood.

The South Side Slopes may quite possibly have the most steps of any neighborhood in the United States. After all, it is home to nearly 10% of the 712 sets of steps within Pittsburgh, which has the most steps of any city in the country. The city with the next greatest amount of steps is the Ohio River town of Cincinnati, followed by

Image by peterp via Flickr

San Francisco. The steps of the combined cities, however, do not equal those in Pittsburgh. Altogether, some 66 out of the city’s 88 neighborhoods have steps. These hundreds of public stairways give tribute to the many hillside neighborhoods.

Installment 1 – The decision is made.

Correct me if I’m wrong here but as I remember it, all Judy Garland had to do to get back to Kansas was the following:

1. look thoroughly annoyed from having wasted so much time and learned nothing new

2. click heels of the appropriate, sparkly footwear three times

3. repeat catchy mantra

And then she woke up and everything was back to normal. Is it me? Does this stuff only work for natives of Kansas or orphans who inexplicably live with an Aunt and Uncle? Is it only for those who have new friends with missing vital organs or questionable character traits?

What about a West End Girl who just wants to come back to her hometown of Pittsburgh?

You don’t really want to cook dinner on Sunday, you should gather your family and friends and head to your favorite Big Burrito establishment on Sunday, October 12, 2008 for the Big Benefit.  100% of all food sales on Sunday will go to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.  I have long been a fan of Mad Mex which is still probably my most favorite place to dine in Pittsburgh.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know some of the good folks, (check out chef Bill Fuller’s blog here) at Big Burrito and I am an even bigger fan.  The Big Burrito folks are true Pittsburgh lovers and they give generously to support Pittsburgh causes.

100% of all food sales from this night will go to local hunger relief organizations.
Our Pittsburgh restaurants will benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The GPCFB collects and distributes food via a 350+ member network throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, ranging from soup kitchens and food pantries to emergency and disaster related agencies.

Here is a list of Big Burrito establishments as well as some reviews from other bloggers:

• Soba – Shadyside
  • Black and Gold World links to the New York Times 36 Hours in Pittsburgh
• Eleven – Strip District
  • Stonesthrow – Greg is a fan of the drinks at Eleven
• Kaya – Strip District
  • The Reluctant Vegetarian enjoyed some veggie treats
  • Now thats good eatin! is a fan of the peach ice cream
• Casbah – Shadyside
  • The Road of Life – this married couple visited Pittsburgh and described their dinner at Casbah as pretty awesome.
• Mad Mex – oakland, Greentree, Cranberry, Monroeville, North Hills
  • Broad Manly’s Man Cave Blog gives Mad Mex a  Full Six Pack Salute to Mad Mex