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

• From Glamour Magazine – "These Sisters Rescued 54 Orphans" – Katie Couric interviews Ali and Jamie McMutrie for Glamour magazine about their work in Haiti
• Another "Tale of Two Cities": Ontario city finds parallels in Pittsburgh revitalization – Carl Kurlander is taking his Pittsburgh documentary around the country. Check out this article from Ontario and look for a screening of the film "My Tale of Two Cities" in Washington, DC in the near future
• Venture Outdoors offers a new bike tour this summer – Ride Across PA – check out this bike tour from Erie to Morgantown and some of the other great bike tours that Venture Outdoors has lined up for Summer 2010

Follow IheartPGH on Twitter – we share more links there almost daily!

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

• Ambiance Boutique to Open a 3rd Location in Lawrenceville in September 2009 – Ambiance Boutique is a project of the non profit Bethlhem Haven – they have two consignment shops located in Regent Square and Oakmont all of the proceeds from Ambiance Boutique benefit Bethlehem Haven. A third location will be opening on Butler Street in Lawrenceville in September 2009. They have a great selection on women’s clothing (the Oakmont location also carries home decor items) and are very helpful when it comes to taking consignments too. Check out the photo of the new shop and follow Ambiance on twitter – www.twitter.com/ambiancepgh

Image by kopp0041 via Flickr

To celebrate the 2009 Venture Outdoors Festival (which is this weekend)!!! and Great Outdoors week – Venture Outdoors is giving away a a kayak to one lucky Twitter follower.  Here are the details…
The Venture Outdoors Festival is only a week away on May 16th at Point State Park! To celebrate our new location we’re giving away a kayak, thanks to Emotion Kayaks, to one lucky Twitterer. Just follow the two steps below and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a free Emotion kayak!

Step 1: Retweet the EXACT message below on Twitter:

RT @ventureoutdoors is giving away a FREE Kayak! Join us May 16 at the VO Festival. To enter visit: http://tinyurl.com/VOFestraffle

Step 2: Follow us on Twitter. It’s easy. Click the link below and click the follow button below our logo: http://www.twitter.com/ventureoutdoors

That’s it! The winning name will be drawn at the Venture Outdoors Festival on May 16th. We’ll announce the winner via tweet and at the WYEP tent at the Festival!

Good luck and we hope you can join us May 16th for the region’s premiere outdoor recreation event with tons of exciting activities for the whole family – from kayaking, canoeing, fishing, yoga, biking, climbing and more! For more info click here
It is that easy to enter.

Image via Wikipedia

Saturday,  May 30 is Beyond Bikes Day – a family friendly bicycle celenbration for beginners – I wan’t to make sure to point out that this is beginner friendly – I know we have posted lots of bike information but I am a bike begginner myself and I know that it can be intimidating.  

Beyond Bikes Day is organized by Venture Outdoors and the Major Taylor Cycling Club
The event will be held Saturday, May 30, at the Kingsley Association Community Center at 6435 Frankstown Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. This particular event will encourage biking as a family-friendly activity, as well as showcase some of the bike lanes in Pittsburgh, particularly the bike lane along East Liberty Boulevard. Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. A limited number of loaner bikes will be available. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the day, including kids’ bikes and biking gear.
I had seen a reference to the Major Taylor Club before but I didn’t know much about it.  The Pittsburgh Chapter is a project of Pitt’s Center for Minority Health.  
Do you know Major Taylor? 

In the late 1890’s bicycle races drew crowds that filled Madison Square Garden; the biggest draw of all was Marshall W. Major Taylor. Having become the undisputed black champion of America, Taylor overcame racial segregation and intolerance to become the one-mile sprint world champion in 1899, and by the end of 1898 held seven world cycling records! 

Why is this important? 

The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Minority Health and Adventure Cycling Association share the goal of encouraging people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, including African Americans, to explore the landscapes and history of America by bicycle. That is why these two organizations are committed to creating an Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Throughout history black people have used bicycles as a mode of transportation. Both Major Taylor and the Underground Railroad represent the struggle to freedom from slavery and the challenge to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.  
More info on the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club is availble here.  Also the blogger Pittsburgh Guy has a great post about the Major Taylor Club and their ride to show support for the families of the police officers that will killed in April.

Pedal Pale Ale Keg Ride

• Join the folks at East End Brewery for a bike ride to take the first kegs of the season’s Pedal Pale Ale to the bar.
• Friday, May 15 – Meet at East End Brewery at 6pm, Ride starts at 7pm will be about a 7 mile ride
• Last year over 220 people joined the keg ride

Pittsburgh Party for a Purpose @ Firehouse

• Friday, May 15 @ 9pm
• Benefits Homeless Children’s Education Fund

Regent Square Yard Sale Day

• Saturday, May 16 – Neighborhood wide yard sale
• 8am-2pm
• Maps available at the Regent Square Theater and the Wilkins School Community Center
• Used book sale at Wilkins School Community Center

Win a Free Kayak on Twitter & Venture Outdoors Festival

• Kick off great outdoors week at the Venture Outdoors Festival at Point State Park
• Full day of FREE activities
• Fishing, Dragon Boats, Kayaks, Climbing Wall
• Saturday May 16 @ Point State Park
• Follow Venture Outdoors on Twitter and you could win a new kayak!

Pedal Pittsburgh

• Annual Bike Tour of the City
• 4 different routes – 50 miles, 25 miles, 15 miles and 5 miles tours of the city
• Benefits the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh

Image via Wikipedia
Since the playoff game is on Friday night and hopefully Sunday – Saturday afternoon is free this weekend.  A great afternoon to combine some exercise with beer.  Check out the Venture Outdoors mircobrewery hike.
We’ll start this activity with an easy hike through Frick Park to get our bodies moving. Afterward, we’ll head over to Pittsburgh’s East End Brewing Company. Owner Scott Smith will be on hand to share the intricacies of craft brewing on a private tour of the brewery and give a taste of his latest brews. As a special bonus on this outing, you take home a half gallon “growler” of fresh beer straight from the source! Minimum age 21.
Saturday May 9, 2009 3-6pm
Frick Park