Author Archives: Mandy

Winner of the Groundhog Celebration Story Contest

Congratulations to the winner of the Groundhog schwag. The winner will receive a commemorative plate celebrating 5 years of Groundhog and Shadow viral videos. (Check out this year’s series Groundhog Dreams). Douglas Derda’s story about his family’s annual celebration on Feb 2nd was entertaining and enlightening.

Douglas said, “In years past I have always had a fresh batch of groundhog cookies sent to me from my mother in law who lives by Punxy. This year proudly on display was my Punxy Phil license plate, 3 stuffed groundhog figures in outfits, a few magnets and a groundhog sweatshirt with pin while I watched the live coverage from the knob. I also flipped my Official Groundhog coin to predict if he would see his shadow. When Straub produces it I try to get at least a 6pack of Groundhog Ale to drink. This year with our first kid on the way I’ll be looking for a Phil outfit at the Groundhog Festival that my wife and I go to every year. It’s tough to celebrate during the week so wait till 2013 when it’s on a Saturday and TeaSpoon will be 4 🙂  It’s a holiday in our house.”

For anyone who has had the pleasure of tasting groundhog cookies, may we say together… YUM!

We are happy to help add to Doug’s collection of groundhog schwag. And for those of you who missed the event entirely, you can watch the video of the event here or follow PAadventure’s live tweets from the event on Twitter! Congrats again and thanks to everyone who participated!

Pittsburgh Twestival

This Thursday, folks from around the world will be gathering to support a great cause. The Pittsburgh Twitter community will be getting together at local bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, malls, movie theaters, parks etc… to raise money for Charity:Water.The event is being dubbed as a “Twestival“.Charity:Water is a non-profit organization that helps to bring clean, safe drinking water to those that cannot otherwise afford or obtain it. Let’s break the numbers down… 1.1 billion people don’t have clean drinking water. That is 1 in every 6 people. WOW!

The event, sponsored by BarkleyREI, an interactive agency in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, will take place at Downey’s House on Stubenville Pike in Robinson Township on Thursday, February 12th. From 6-9, you can enjoy food and drinks, live music courtesy of Juan Vasquez from Sauce.

Pittsburgh media has been picking up the event and local businesses have been graciously donating for the raffle. Some prizes include, a green membership from the Mattress Factory, Penguins tickets, T-shirts from Wear Pittsburgh and your’s truly, IheartPGH, artwork from local artists, Mandy McFadden Photography, Steel City Artist, Strawberry Luna and much, much more!

Do you want to get in on the fun? Do you want be part of the Pittsburgh Twestival and make a difference in someone’s life? There is still time to donate and reserve your spot for Thursday’s event. Click here to donate.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wanna Win some Groundhog Shwag? Tell me how you celebrated in PGH on Feb 2nd!

For over 120 years, Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather. The famous groundhog decides whether the northeast will endure 6 more weeks of winter or enjoy an early spring. Every year on February 2nd the Inner Circle, distinguished townsmen, party with the community and outside visitors (and there is no shortage of outside visitors, even in the dead cold of winter…) and after coaxing Phil from his stump, announce the prognostication. I was lucky enough to attend the big event this year and will definitely go back. Something the state of PA does to help celebrate Phil is a viral marketing campaign that follows the antics of the Groundhog and his Shadow. The campaign has run for 4 successful years and 2009 marked the 5th. This year’s campaign, GroundhogDreams also marks the last year the campaign will run. To promote the campaign, VisitPA release a commemorative plate to mark the 5 year anniversary. I have one to give away… so what you need to do is tell me how you celebrated Groundhog Day in Pittsburgh this year! You can leave a comment or email your celebration story to info@iheartpgh.com.


Right By Nature brings Organic to the Burgh

To Pittsburgh’s surprise and pure enjoyment, an organic market just opened on Smallman Street a few weeks ago. The shop, which is 2 city blocks, has everything from fresh baked good (the most delicious chocolate chip pecan cookies), produce ranging from vegetables to exotic fruits, flower arrangements, cleaning products and prepared foods. Right By Nature even validates parking when you park in the Cork Factory garage. How great is that? I’ve been to the market three times now and each time I go back I have even more of a reason to love everthing about it. Just yesterday there was a bit of confusion during lunchtime a co-worker and I ordered sandwiches. They felt so bad about how long we waited so they gave us our lunch on the house. I almost dropped dead. The wonderful woman who was chatting with us said, “We want you to come back!” I wanted to hug her. The staff is friendly and down to earth, you won’t see any SUV driving, soccer mom, organic bandwagon peeps at Right By Nature, only genuine people really trying to make a difference in their lives, with their health and for their community. 5 stars, 2 thumbs up etc… etc… etc…

I Love Me Some Good Lawerenceville Eats

Lawrenceville, PA has everything I love about Pittsburgh right in a row. Cupcakes at Dozen, pizza at Piccolo Forno, vintage gems at the several thrift shops and great art in a collection of galleries. I lunched at a new eatery today, Coca Café and can safely say it is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Just a few doors down from Piccolo, Coca Café sits comfortably on the corner with a trendy red and blue paint job. The specials were written on the sign outside and my eye went directly to the pumpkin bisque, YUM! The eclectic chairs and tables made the shop just funky enough without trying too hard. I ordered the chicken and artichoke wrap, which was a great combination of warm and toasty yet light and fresh. Of course, I had to do a cappuccino and biscotti afterward. I couldn’t decide what kind to get, so I had our lovely server choose her favorite, which turned out to be vanilla apricot, YUM again! The music was just loud enough to get you groovin’ in your seat without inhibiting conversation. And something I love about local places; they accept local artwork that they display, which gives them an extra gold start in my book. Yet another Pittsburgh gem that dazzled me to the point of blogging, check them out online!

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]